BYU NewsNet - Diet market slows down amid the global economic crisis

Do-it-yourself dieting is increasing as the failing economy takes its toll on the weight loss industry.

The U.S. weight loss market posted virtually no growth in 2008, earning $58.6 billion. This was a marginal increase over the $58.5 billion earned in 2007, according to Marketdata Enterprises, Inc.

The minimal increase is a stark contrast to the almost $4 billion a year increases the industry has previously seen.

John LaRosa, a spokesman for Marketdata, attributed the lack of growth to fallen diet soda sales and fitness center crashes. Diet soda sales and health fitness centers make up about 65 percent of the market industry value.

“The revenues of commercial weight loss organizations fell about 11 percent, largely due to the collapse of LA Weight Loss Centers with massive closures of most of its 700-800 centers nationwide,” LaRosa said. “And one-third of the industry’s value comes from diet soft drinks, which declined as well.”

Marketdata speculates in a recent study that more dieters will turn to low cost and do-it-yourself diet plans, which include diet Web sites, over-the-counter pills, diet books and meal replacement services.

LaRosa said 70 percent of the estimated 72 million American dieters are “do-it-yourself” dieters.

“This will be the year of a ‘value diet,’” LaRosa said. “We expect to see dieters shift toward a greater use of free and low-cost do-it-yourself weight loss programs.”

Examples of do-it-yourself dieting include Sparkpeople.com, WeightWatchers.com and other diet Web sites.

Americans are turning to their own exercise regimens to slim down, according to LaRosa.

“Americans tightened their belts and exercised on their own, shunning health clubs and taking advantage of discounts,” LaRosa said. “They will design their own exercise programs, rather than use personal trainers or sign a health club contract. They will use more free diet plans.”

Mallory Zebley, an art major at UVU said she can see why people would cut back on gym memberships.

“I personally have not changed my gym membership, but I think some people might be cancelling their gym memberships in order to cut back spendings,” Zebley said.

Marketdata began tracking do-it-yourself dieting in 2005, and has shown increases from 59.3 percent doing do-it-yourself dieting in 2005, to 75.5 percent in 2008.

LaRosa said many Americans now face health challenges prompting weight loss.

“Today’s dieters are heavier than 10 years ago, and have more medical conditions caused by obesity than in the past,” LaRosa said. “They are more likely to need to lose weight for health reasons than cosmetic reasons, but they also have more diet programs competing for their money.”