Weight Loss Market’s Untapped Niches Could Add $2.4 Billion

Friday, September 28th, 2012


Tampa, FL (PRWEB) September 27, 2012

Marketdata Enterprises is a 33-year old market research firm that has tracked the U.S. weight loss market and published in-depth studies about it and all its market segments since 1989.

?Marketdata’s research shows that there are several untapped but potentially large markets and demographics that are being under-served by the major diet companies. In this dog eat dog competitive market, the key to future strong growth in a weak economy will be to move beyond the mass market to non-traditional distribution channels and more custom programs,? according to Research Director, John LaRosa.

The “core” weight loss market–consisting of medical & commercial programs, diet drugs, diet foods, and retail diet products is worth about $ 12 billion/year. Marketdata analysts think that by tapping certain niches listed below, one could add 20% of that number ($ 2.4 billion) to that figure.

Retail Health Clinics & Other Sites

These 1,400 health mini-clinics are popping up more often in drug store chains such as CVS and Walgreens, as well as supermarket and big box mass merchants. Their numbers are expected to nearly double to 2,700 by 2016, fueled by the implementation of the Affordable Care Act in 2014.

The clinics handle a variety of minor ailments such as strep throats, ear infections, as well as flu shots and school physicals. However, they are quickly expanding into other areas like diabetes monitoring, and yes, weight loss. The thing these clinics have in common is that profit margins are slim and demand is seasonal, peaking in the Fall with flu shots. They want to change that, and smooth out demand during other months.

The perfect fit? – selling weight loss programs. which can tip the scales for the clinics toward profitability. Walmart alone has the potential to add hundreds of clinics to its stores per year. Retail clinics are run by Nurse Practitioners and Physicians Assistants, who can easily provide detailed diet program info, get people registered, and even do counseling.

Other untapped sites include upscale shopping malls, and partnerships with OB/gyn offices. What healthcare professional serves more women than OB/gyns? Women love to shop, so why don?t we see weight loss centers or at least kiosks in shopping malls?

The Hispanic & Afro-American Markets

According to the American Obesity Association, overweight and obesity disproportionately affect Hispanics and African Americans. CDC data show that 72% of Hispanics, 84% of African Americans and 68% of non-Hispanic Whites are overweight or obese.

?The rates of obesity among African Americans and Hispanic groups in the U.S. tend to be higher than obesity rates among whites,? according to the Center for Weight and Eating Disorders.

According to the research, Hispanics and African Americans are not as likely to use commercial weight loss programs in which clients go to meetings. Instead, they are more likely to exercise and use unproven weight loss supplements, such as herbs or plant extracts. Why? How many weight loss companies have bilingual group leaders or counselors, or special sessions for Spanish speaking dieters? What about meal plans customized to the foods they like in their culture? Clearly, a lot more could be done.

Regardless of their perceptions of weight and beauty, Hispanics are equally as likely as non-Hispanics to be dieting. Hispanics are 60% more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to say they?ve tried a couple of different weight loss approaches but haven?t found the one that works best for them. They?re also significantly more likely than non-Hispanics to say that the biggest barriers to weight loss are that they can?t figure out the best way to lose weight and they don?t know how to prepare nutritious meals.

The Adolescent Market

In the 1960s and 1970s, there were more weight loss ?camps? for overweight teens. Why haven?t more of these popped up, as the adolescent obesity rates continue to rise? Do weight loss companies have special programs for teens? If not, why not? Why aren?t there any teens used as role models in diet program advertising?

Worksite Programs

Weight Watchers reported that it’s At Work business accounted for about 12% of its North American meeting attendance. Based on Weight Watchers North American revenues last year (47% of total revenues), we figure that they do $ 129 million for at-work programs. Jenny Craig? corporate business represents 8-10% of its total (estimated $ 454 million in 2011). NutriSystem does not report its corporate business figures, but if we assume 10% of revenues from corporations, they?d do about $ 40 million. Add this up and Marketdata estimates that at-work diet programs in the U.S. is at least a $ 210 million market–just for the top three diet companies. The market is obviously worth more when adding in all other medical and commercial diet companies that serve corporations.

MARKETDATA?S DIET MARKET TELE-CONSULTING

Teleconference services. Want to pick the brains and pass your ideas past the nation?s leading weight loss business consultant for an hour? Mr. LaRosa is available for $ 199/hr. and will discuss any diet market segment or company, with accompanying PowerPoints or other slides one can use and keep. Invite the whole team, to evaluate marketing plans, competitors, to size up a diet company stock, or talk about a new start-up. The call will be confidential.

MARKETDATA DIET MARKET REPORTS ? NEW PACKAGE PRICING

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The Nanny Season 4 Episode 23_You Bette Your Life_PT2

Thursday, September 27th, 2012

Fran is involved with a charity auction hosted by Maxwell and Bette Midler. Fran takes a child prodigy to Yetta’s nursing home and the death of a resident so traumatizes the child that he swears he will never play the piano again. Part2 tags: the nanny “season 4” “episode 23” fran maxwell niles cc brighton maggie grace comedy tv show “part 2”
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Pathways Hospice Honors Doreta Strotman with 35th Anniversary Volunteer Award

Thursday, September 27th, 2012


Sunnyvale, California (PRWEB) September 20, 2012

Five weeks can change a life. For Doreta Strotman, those five weeks were when her husband received hospice care from Pathways Home Health & Hospice. In appreciation of the support and comfort her family received during that time, Doreta began to volunteer at Pathways. Seven years later, she has devoted almost 4,000 hours in service and helps daily in the Foundation office at Pathways.

In honor of her steadfast commitment and tireless volunteering at Pathways, Doreta will receive a special 35th Anniversary Volunteer Award from Pathways Home Health & Hospice at its signature fundraising event in October. In addition to providing administrative help at Pathways, Doreta, an accomplished musician, often plays the piano at Pathways events. Her music has greeted guests to the One from the Heart Awards Breakfast since 2005.

Doreta?s volunteer award will be presented at the One from the Heart Awards Breakfast Friday, October 5, 2012, at the Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel in Palo Alto. The popular annual Pathways breakfast attracts more than 600 community leaders, medical professionals, philanthropists, and other hospice supporters, and has raised almost $ 4 million in support of hospice and home health services.

This year, national best-selling author and journalist Jon Katz will be the featured speaker at the Breakfast sharing endearing and funny stories about the joy and love he and his dog brought to hospice patients. Their story is told in his heart warming book, Izzy and Lenore: Two Dogs, an Unexpected Journey, and Me. Emmy, Peabody, and Murrow Award winner Rita Williams of KTVU Channel 2 is returning for her 13th year as host of the event held from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Individual seats, as well as tables of 10, are available for this event. For more information about the One from the Heart Awards Breakfast, call Holly Smith at 408.773.4109 or 408.730.1200, email events@pathwayshealth.org or visit http://www.pathwayshealth.org/foundation.

Pathways Home Health & Hospice is a non-profit, community based organization celebrating its 35th anniversary. Pathways was founded in 1977 by a group of Stanford physicians who saw the community?s need for professional care at home. That year Pathways served 12 patients. Pathways now serves over 5,000 families a year in five Bay Area counties.

Pathways has been affiliated with El Camino and Sequoia Hospitals since 1986, is accredited by The Joint Commission, and is a member of the Visiting Nurses Association of America, California Hospice & Palliative Care Association, and the California Association of Health Services at Home.

For more information about Pathways services, summer grief workshops, volunteering, or making a donation in support of Pathways? families, call 1 (888) 755.7855 or visit http://www.pathwayshealth.org/

Donations received from the community by Pathways Home Health & Hospice provide services that would otherwise not be available, including 24/7 access to a specialized team of care providers, family bereavement counseling and support, integrative therapies, caregiver support, comfort care, and funding for under- and uninsured patients.