Statistical Profile of The U.S. Weight Loss Market – Recessions, Expansions, Wars, Pandemics

Nov. 17 - Marketdata LLC, a leading market research firm tracking the weight loss market since 1989, has just released a new report: “The U.S. Weight Loss Market: A Statistical Profile – Data Pack”. This 84-page report is a 30-year statistical profile of ALL 10 segments of the weight loss market -- commercial and medical programs, multi-level marketers, retail meal replacements and weight loss supplements, the health clubs industry, and low-cal foods and soft drinks.

This new “Data Pack” report presents mostly statistical profiles and tables, with some analyses. This report contains a rare data set that traces the size and growth of ALL U.S. weight loss market segments from 1989 to 2022, with 2025 forecasts, enabling the reader to trace market performance historically via 30+ years, through recessions, wars, stock market crashes and growth cycles – a truly long-term view. The main focus is on commercial diet companies. Extensive industry metrics are included. The report does NOT contain in-depth competitor profiles. Rather, it examines the structure and size and key metrics of the market. Effects of the pandemic are included.

“Too often, weight loss market analysts look at only 3-4 years of history to predict what will happen in this industry. This can be very misleading. One has to take a longer view of this complex market to accurately forecast how the various segments will respond. Recessions, wars, expansions, new drug approvals, fads – they all matter.”, according to Research Director, John LaRosa

Major Findings:

* Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the value of the U.S. weight loss market is estimated to have declined by a historic 25% in 2020, to $58 billion. as a result of closures of weight loss centers and medical programs. However, in 2021 the market recovered nearly all of that, up 24% to $72.6 billion. The market is forecast to grow 3.6% this year, to $75 billion.

* Much of this decline was due to the $20 billion in lost revenue by health clubs, which were shuttered due to the pandemic. This segment of the market suffered the biggest hit.

* During the mid-1990s, the obesity drug combination phen/fen was all the rage, and consumers flocked to their doctors and medical weight loss clinics for this “magic pill, shunning commercial weight loss centers. This is one example of how a new drug can significantly affect the fortunes of competing market segments.

* In the early 2000s, low-carb plans like Atkins were very popular for 3-4 years, causing weight loss companies to adjust their offerings. These product life cycles usually last 9 months to 1.5 years, but the low-carb trend lasted much longer. How long will Keto, intermittent fasting, intuitive eating, etc. last?

* During recessions, structured and costly medical and commercial programs are shunned, as consumers’ discretionary income declines. Bariatric surgeries are cancelled or postponed. In these times, DIY methods, OTC diet pills and retail meal replacements become much more popular and affordable.

* During The “Great Recession”, the total weight loss market grew less than 1% in 2008, 3.1% in 2009, and 0.8% in 2010, before returning to normal historical rates of about 6% annual growth.

* Wars affect the market as well. When consumers were worried about Mideast conflicts like Iraq and ISIS, weight loss programs took a back seat.


“If you are looking at the weight loss market in the middle of an economic expansion, when consumers are flush with money, your forecast will be a lot different than when forecasting during a downturn, a war, a stock market crash, or a wave of new obesity drugs entering the market.”, according to Research Director, John LaRosa.

About The Report
“The U.S. Weight Loss Market: A Statistical Profile – Data Pack”. November 2022, is an 84-page data profile of all segments of the weight loss market. It contains 43 tables and charts. Includes the effects of the pandemic on operations and revenues in 2020, 2021.and 2022. The report’s price is $450. A Table of Contents can be found at: marketdataenterprises.com (Studies page, Report FS 78), or HERE. Contact: Marketdata LLC, 7210 Wareham Drive, Tampa, FL 33647, 813-971-8080. Order: this report. John LaRosa is available for interviews.

About Marketdata
Marketdata LLC is a 43-year old, independent market research and consulting firm with a specialty tracking the weight loss market since 1989. It publishes a wide variety of reports about service and healthcare sectors, and does consulting, custom research projects, and teleconference calls. Marketdata also operates a free website, www.DietBusinessWatch.com, updated daily with the latest weight loss market and competitor news.

Contact Information

John S. LaRosa

Research Director

Marketdata LLC

(1) 8139718080

john@marketdataenterprises.com