The U.S. market for weight control products was worth $1.9 billion in 2004, following a sharp decline that began in 2002, after the market reached $2.2 billion. The combined effects of the Ephedra controversy as well as trends in low-carb dieting have had a strong impact on the weight control product market.
While sales have suffered, Mintel believes the decline is temporary, as interest in low-carb diets is waning, and as manufacturers have produced entirely new lines of products which do not use Ephedra. TrimSpa is one of the earlier success stories. New products launched in 2004 include Relacore and Cortislim. These reduce the effects of the hormone cortisol, which is activated during stress and can cause weight gain. As the low-carb diets decine in popularity, these new products could become the next favorite diet plan. At time of publication, it also appears likely that the ban on Ephedra will be overturned, but regaining consumer confidence and rebuilding sales will take time.
In addition to products designed for weight loss, this report includes products used to gain weight or build muscle. This report focuses on weight control drinks (liquid and powdered) and over the counter weight control pills and candy.
Contents
Introduction and Abbreviations
Introduction
Other relevant reports
Definition
Natural food stores data source
Abbreviations & terms
Abbreviations
Terms
Executive Summary
Growing population, growing waistlines
The Ephedra scare continues to affect the market
Low-carb takes a toll
Steady growth until 2002, followed by decline
Liquid/powdered products lead the market
Changes in supplier rankings
Damage control
Supermarkets are top sellers
Part of the consumer lifestyle
More challenges ahead
Future sales expected to see moderate growth
Market Drivers
Ephedra concerns played a role in sales decline
Potential in non-Ephedra products
Low-carb dieting
Obesity Increasing
- Figure 1: Prevalence of overweight* and obesity** among U.S. adults, 1976-1980; 1988-1994; and 1999-2002
- Figure 2: Prevalence of overweight and obesity among U.S. adults, by demographic characteristics, 1988-1994 and 1999-2002
Women more overweight than men, more concerned about side-effects as well
Dieting alone proves unsuccessful
Medicalization of obesity
Market Size & Trends
- Figure 3: Total U.S. retail sales of weight control products, at current and constant prices, 1999-2004
Market Segmentation
Overview
- Figure 4: Sales of weight control products, segmented by type, 2002 & 2004
Liquid/powder
- Figure 5: Sales of liquid/powder weight control products, at current and constant prices, 1999-2004
Candy/pill
- Figure 6: Sales of candy/pill, at current and constant prices, 1999-2004
Supply Structure
Company and brand sales
- Figure 7: Manufacturer sales of weight control products in the U.S., 2002 & 2004
Brand sales by segment
Liquid/Powder
- Figure 8: Manufacturer brand sales of liquid/powder weight control products in the U.S., 2002 & 2004
Candy/Pills
- Figure 9: Leading manufacturer and brand sales of candy/pill weight control products in the U.S. at FDM, 2002 & 2004
Company and brand profiles
Ross Labs
Slim-Fast Foods
Novartis
Atkins Nutritionals
Metabolife
Cytodyne
Advertising & Promotion
Ross Labs
Slim-Fast
Atkins Nutritionals
NutraAmerica Corp.
Metabolife
MuscleTech
Retail Distribution
Introduction
- Figure 10: U.S. retail sales of weight control products, by channel, 2002 & 2004
Supermarkets
- Figure 11: U.S. supermarket sales of weight control products, at current and constant prices, 1999-2004
Drug stores
- Figure 12: U.S. drug store sales of weight control products, at current and constant prices, 1999-2004
Mass-merchandisers and clubs
- Figure 13: U.S. mass-merchandiser and club store sales of weight control products, at current and constant prices, 1999-2004
The Consumer
Introduction
Adult use of liquid breakfast and nutritional supplement products
- Figure 14: Use of liquid breakfast/nutritional supplement products, January-September 2004
- Figure 15: Use of liquid breakfast/nutritional supplement products, by race/ethnicity, January-September 2004
- Figure 16: Use of liquid breakfast/nutritional supplement products, by consumers who are controlling their diets, January-September 2004
Reasons for use of liquid breakfast/nutritional supplements
- Figure 17: Reasons for use of liquid breakfast/nutritional supplements, January-September 2004
- Figure 18: Reasons for use of liquid breakfast/nutritional supplements, by gender, January-September 2004
- Figure 19: Reasons for use of liquid breakfast/mutritional supplements, by marital status, January-September 2004
- Figure 20: Reasons for use of liquid breakfast/nutritional supplements, by those on a controlled diet, January-September 2004
Consumption of liquid breakfast/nutritional supplements in past 7 days
- Figure 21: Frequency of breakfast/nutritional supplements consumption, January-September 2004
- Figure 22: Frequency of breakfast/nutritional supplements consumption, by age, January-September 2004
Consumption of liquid breakfast/nutritional supplements in past 30 days
- Figure 23: Consumption of liquid breakfast/nutritional supplements in past 30 days, January-September 2004
- Figure 24: Consumption of liquid breakfast/nutritional supplements in past 30 days, by controlled diet, January-September 2004
Adults who control their diets
- Figure 25: Adults controlling their diet, January-September 2004
- Figure 26: Adults controlling their diet, by gender, January-September 2004
- Figure 27: Adults controlling their diet, by age, January-September 2004
Reasons for controlling diet
- Figure 28: Reasons for controlling weight, January-September 2004
Types of diet control products used
- Figure 29: Types of diet control products used, January-September 2004
Teen use of liquid breakfast and nutritional supplement products
- Figure 30: Teen use of liquid breakfast/nutritional supplement products, January-September 2004
Types of products used by teens
- Figure 31: Types of liquid breakfast/nutritional supplement products used by teens, January-September 2004
Teen consumption of liquid breakfast/nutritional supplement products in past 30 days
- Figure 32: Teen consumption rates of liquid breakfast/nutritional supplement products, January-September 2004
Teen dieters
- Figure 33: Teen dieters, January-September 2004
Teen use of weight control products
- Figure 34: Teen use of weight control products, by type of product, January-September 2004
Use of liquid/powdered weight control products
- Figure 35: Use of liquid/powdered weight control products, February 2005
- Figure 36: Use of liquid/powdered weight control products, by gender, February 2005
Reasons for using weight control products
- Figure 37: Reasons for using weight control products, February 2005
Attitudes towards weight control and weight control products
- Figure 38: Attitudes towards weight control and weight control products, February 2005
- Figure 39: Attitudes towards weight control and weight control products, by gender, February 2005
- Figure 40: Attitudes towards weight control and weight control products, by age, February 2005
Summary
Future & Forecast
Future trends
Obesity, population likely to increase
- Figure 41: American generations, 2000-2010
Ephedra fears remain a factor
Low-carb diets
Bariatric surgery
Medical conditions and the health insurance industry
Perception of weight and image
Market forecast
Weight control products
- Figure 42: Forecast of total U.S. retail sales of weight control products, at current and constant prices, 2004-2009
- Figure 43: Graph: Trends of total U.S. retail sales of weight control products, at current prices, 1999-2009
Liquid/powder weight control products
- Figure 44: Forecast of U.S. sales of liquid/powder weight control products, at current and constant prices, 2004-2009
Candy/pill weight control products
- Figure 45: Forecast of U.S. sales of candy/pill weight control products, at current and constant prices, 2004-2009
