Consumers have a heightened level of health awareness and say they are taking active steps to control their health, yet obesity and its implications seem unstoppable. Important shifts in lifestyle, nutrition and cultures are creating challenging market dynamics with manufacturers' core product offers being squeezed and having to find new strategies for growth.

Scope

Comprehensive data on adult and child obesity and overweight prevalence by country. Data on exercise patterns and diet market sizes by category Quantitative data from Datamonitor's proprietary consumer surveys highlighting the attitudes and behaviors of consumers Insights into changing attitudes and behaviors of consumers with important implications for industry Detailed action points offering practical strategies and examples of recently-launched innovative products

Highlights

Increased consumption of beverages is contributing to increased calorie intake. In the US in 1965 beverages accounted for just 12 percent of daily energy intake but by 2002, this number had jumped to 21 percent. This increase in consumption is not being offset by a reduction in calories from food. Across the whole Asia Pacific region, over two thirds of consumers were trying to lose weight even though only half considered themselves overweight. In South Korea, which has the lowest levels of obesity, 90 percent were trying to lose weight. In Asia, consumers are more likely to control weight through diet than exercise. “Obesogenic” environments are contributing to the growth of obesity. Among the key causes are the imbalance between calories consumed and energy used. This imbalance is pronounced by social and cultural factors including the heightened need for convenience and pressure on time.

Reasons to Purchase

Understand regional and national differences through qualitative and quantitative market data and compare growth forecasts to plan for the future Gain insight into the consumer preferences and changing behaviors that will affect the strategic direction of manufacturers and retailers Explore in-depth analysis of new products and action points that highlight existing best practice in NPD, communications and positioning strategies.