Set against the backdrop of the $5.7 trillion global food and beverage market, weight management products continue to gain ground on mainstream foods as consumers push for solutions to their expanding waistlines.
According to Marketandmarkets.com and their medium term look at the market landscape for weight loss products, health and beauty remain the two primary objectives for women - the primary target segment - when considering weight management products.
"Women are the major segment for weight management market, as they need 10 years more than men before their weight declines," claims the report.
The average weight increase in women between the ages of 25 to 55 years is 15 lb. For men, the weight could rise between 8 to 10 lb from the age of 25 to 45 years.
After these ages, suggests the report, men and women start to lose weight naturally. Although for women - and hence the market opportunity - this point of weight decline kicks in ten years after men.
In terms of market positioning for weight management products, the report underlines that manufacturers should be fully aware that "health and beauty are the two primary objectives of weight management".
But both are weaker or stronger depending on the varying age of the targeted woman.
"Health is valued more than beauty as age increases," suggests the report, that predicts annual growth of 10.9 per cent for the global weight loss market between 2009 and 2014.
And while today's market players are recommended to embrace these factors, the report suggests that "a significant neutral market" exists that considers both health and beauty aspects.
No diet – no exercise zone
Opportunities for revenue gains also exist in the 'zone' that sees the weight-conscious consumer - with the ideal weight - keen to curb weight gain through the consumption of low-calorie foods, without exercising or following a weight-loss diet.
"Many low calorie food and beverages cannot induce weight loss – their main aim is only to prevent weight increase," comments the report.
F&B extend reach through distribution channels
The food and beverage sectors, particularly in Europe and the US, are already well established markets, with strong distribution channels in place. According to Marketandmarkets.com, existing F&B market players are using these established channels to promote and distribute low-calorie food in urban areas.
Their moves, and diversification, into the booming weight-management category has "substantially increased the accessibility and consumption" of low-calorie food and beverages among weight-conscious individuals.