Weighing in on Weight Control

摘要

Whether attempting to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, most consumers have some sort of weight issue on their minds. As A. Elizabeth Sloan reported in her January 2005 Consumer Trends column in Food Technology, 41% of consumers are trying to lose weight for health reasons and 46% for appearance, and 74% are trying to prevent gaining 1 any more weight. Retail sales of weight-loss products in the United States increased by a total of almost 90% and posted a compound annual growth rate of 17% during 1999-2003,accordingto the Packaged Facts report, "The U.S. Market for Weight Loss Eating and Produc Trends." Strong gains were reflected in fou categories, including frozen dinners am entrees, food bars, meal replacement liquid and powders, and diet candy. Weight-management and weight-los products leave no food type untouched Beverages, nutrition bars, snacks, ice cream desserts, meals, baked goods, and cereal are all affected by the consumer battle with the bulge. While some products carry a reduced- or no-fat and/or -calorie content, others contain ingredients that are believed to help control or lose weight. Here is a look at some of these ingredients.