Weight Control Foods - UK
Report description
About this report
This report looks at how delivering weight loss solutions through RFCS (Reduced fat, reduced calorie and sugar) foods is being impacted by a wider definition of what constitutes a healthy diet. The report also assesses how other weight loss aids – including meal replacements, appetite suppressants and VLCDs (very-low-calorie diets) – have fared as the UK’s obesity problem intensifies.
Mintel’s market for weight control products includes selected RFCS (reduced fat/calorie/sugar) products along with slimming aids ie meal replacements, appetite suppressants/controllers and VLCDs (very low calorie diets).
The definition of a “diet” has shifted as consumers shun dieting for more healthy eating regimes. In addition, Mintel research reveals that the number of adults who claim to often or sometimes diet is falling.
Key report themes:
*How will RFCS products offer growth potential for major brands and grocery own labels?
*How wider trends in the food and drinks market is driving NPD in RCFS.
*Greater choice is fuelling consumer interest in appetite suppressants and controllers.
*How guidance on obesity is affecting weight control foods eg NICE guidelines
*Evaluation of key brands and products that are leading the industry.
*How the different socio-economic groups are responding to the dietary concerns and the impact of the food they consume.
Table of contents
Issues in the Market
Key themes
Definition
Abbreviations
Market in Brief
Sales trends
Market drivers
Buyer profile
Distribution
The future of the market
Internal Market Environment
Key points
Adults trying to lose weight
Figure 1: Adults who are trying to lose weight, 2003-07
Obesity levels a major concern
Figure 2: Body mass index segments, 2006 and 2007
Men – the future problem
Figure 3: Prevalence of obesity in adults, by gender, 2003 and 2010
The fat backlash
Lifestyle statements
Figure 4: Agreement with selected lifestyle statements, 2003, 2005 and 2007
Preoccupation with food increases
Health rather than weight control
Gender – a different approach
Age is a major factor
Broader Market Environment
Key points
An ageing population
Figure 5: The female population by age group, 2003, 2008 and 2013
Figure 6: The male population by age group, 2003, 2008 and 2013
Looking to the C1s for industry growth
Figure 7: UK population, by socio-economic group, 2003-13
Government guidelines and NICE guidance
Competitive Context
Key points
Lifestyle choices
Diet for health – not weight loss
Figure 8: Membership of slimming club, 2003-07
Reading your way to thinness
A surgical approach to body reshaping
Tone up or slim down
Magic away the excess fat
Cosmetics with slimming attributes
A future for combination beauty/slimming foods?
Strengths and Weaknesses in the Market
Strengths
Weaknesses
Market Size and Forecast
Key points
Dietary changes slow growth
Figure 9: UK estimated retail market of (selected) processed RFCS foods, 2003-08
Slimming aids see sales growth
Figure 10: UK retail sales of slimming aids, 2003-08
The future of the market
Healthy but slower growth
Figure 11: Forecast of the UK retail market of (selected) processed RFCS foods, 2003-13
Ageing population to promote further growth
Changing attitudes towards healthy eating
What next for slimming aids?
Strong growth predicted
Figure 12: Forecast of UK retail sales of slimming aids, at current prices, 2003-13
Figure 13: Forecast of UK retail sales of slimming aids, at 2008 prices, 2003-13
Segment Performance
Key points
Retail sales of selected RFCS foods
Figure 14: UK estimated retail sales of selected RFCS foods, by segment, 2004-08
RFCS foods – mixed fortunes
Improved choice of healthy biscuits
Line extensions in non-sweet biscuits
Sugar-free confectionery now standard
Jams, marmalade and spreads
Salads getting the dressing down
Consumers seek indulgent desserts
Healthier ice-creams appeal to consumers
NPD in low fat ready meals
Crisps reformulated to reduce fat levels
Yogurts with added claims
Meal replacements fading away
Figure 15: UK retail sales of meal replacements, 2003-08
Appetite suppressants expand sales base
Figure 16: UK retail sales of appetite suppressants/controllers*, 2003-08
VCLDs benefit from new entrants and NICE support
Figure 17: UK consumer sales of VLCDs, 2003-08
Companies and Products
Key points
Figure 18: Major RFCS and slimming brands offered within categories, 2008
RFCS
Weight Watchers International
Figure 19: Selected Weight Watchers licensees, 2008
Figure 20: Major Weight Watchers launches, 2006/07
Premier Foods
Arla Foods
Dairy Crest
Danone
Kraft
Müller
Unilever
United Biscuits
Walkers
Other
Meal replacements
Unilever
Other
Appetite controllers/suppressants
DDD Group
Nature’s Remedies Ltd
Other
Very-low calorie diets
Obesity Lifeline Ltd (trading as LighterLife)
Cambridge Nutritional Foods Ltd
Howard Foundation Research Ltd (HFR)
Vitaline Weight Control Ltd
Eurodiet
Supermarket own label
Figure 21: Retailer own brands in RFCS foods, 2008
Other own label initiatives
Brand Communication and Promotion
Key points
Rise in advertising on slimming aids
Figure 22: Main monitored media advertising expenditure on slimming aids and foods, 2004-08
Advertising – low priority
Figure 23: Main monitored media advertising expenditure on major meal replacement, appetite suppressants/controllers and vlcd campaigns, 2004-08
Strong focus on dairy markets
Figure 24: Main monitored media advertising expenditure on major rfcs campaigns, 2004-08
Weight Watchers watching carefully
Figure 25: Main monitored media advertising expenditure on weight watcher brand, 2004-08
Figure 26: Share of spend on weight watchers brand by media, 2004-08*
Channels to Market
Key points
Supermarket domination
Figure 27: Estimated retail distribution of RFCS foods, by sector, 2004-08
Multiples have lower profile
Figure 28: UK retail sales of meal replacements and appetite controllers/suppressants, by outlet type, 2004-08
More medical referrals
Other channels increase in importance
The Consumer – Ways to Lose Weight
Key points
How to lose weight
Figure 32: Things consumers would do if they wanted to lose weight, July 2008
Exercise – a delusion?
Healthy eating – the way forward for most
Cutting down on fat and sugar
Surgery – last resort
Dress that salad
Figure 33: Low calorie/lower fat/reduced sugar foods eaten in the last six months, July 2008
RFCS dairy products vary in popularity
Potential for growth in RFCS posh nosh
Frozen v chilled ready meals
Demographic profiling reveals all
Repertoire of slimming/RFCS foods eaten
Figure 34: Number of slimming/lower calorie foods eaten in the last six months, July 2008
Majority eat RFCS food
Yummy but pricey
Figure 35: Attitudes to slimming foods and low calorie (reduced fat/reduced calorie) foods, July 2008
Healthy eating debate
Communication, communication, communication
Reaching out to the sceptics
Appendix
Advertising data
Appendix – Internal Market Environment
Figure 38: Agreement with selected lifestyle statements, by demographic sub-group, 2007
Figure 39: Adults who are trying to lose weight, by demographics, 2003-07
Figure 40: Body mass index segments, by demographics, 2006 and 2007
Appendix: Segment Performance
Other categories
Cheese
Fresh and frozen meat:
Soups
Appendix – The Consumer: Ways to Lose Weight: Detailed Demographics
Figure 46: Things consumers would do if they wanted to lose weight, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 47: Things consumers would do if they wanted to lose weight, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 48: Things consumers would do if they wanted to lose weight, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 49: Things consumers would do if they wanted to lose weight, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 50: Low calorie/lower fat/reduced sugar foods eaten in the last six months, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 51: Low calorie/lower fat/reduced sugar foods eaten in the last six months, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 52: Low calorie/lower fat/reduced sugar foods eaten in the last six months, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 53: Low calorie/lower fat/reduced sugar foods eaten in the last six months, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 54: Number of slimming/lower calorie foods eaten in the last six months, demographics by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 55: Number of slimming/lower calorie foods eaten in the last six months, by types eaten (column %)
Figure 56: Number of slimming/lower calorie foods eaten in the last six months, by attitudes to food and diet in general, July 2008
Figure 57: Attitudes to slimming foods and low calorie (reduced fat/reduced calorie) foods, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 58: Attitudes to slimming foods and low calorie (reduced fat/reduced calorie) foods, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 59: Attitudes to slimming foods and low calorie (reduced fat/reduced calorie) foods, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Key themes
Definition
Abbreviations
Market in Brief
Sales trends
Market drivers
Buyer profile
Distribution
The future of the market
Internal Market Environment
Key points
Adults trying to lose weight
Figure 1: Adults who are trying to lose weight, 2003-07
Obesity levels a major concern
Figure 2: Body mass index segments, 2006 and 2007
Men – the future problem
Figure 3: Prevalence of obesity in adults, by gender, 2003 and 2010
The fat backlash
Lifestyle statements
Figure 4: Agreement with selected lifestyle statements, 2003, 2005 and 2007
Preoccupation with food increases
Health rather than weight control
Gender – a different approach
Age is a major factor
Broader Market Environment
Key points
An ageing population
Figure 5: The female population by age group, 2003, 2008 and 2013
Figure 6: The male population by age group, 2003, 2008 and 2013
Looking to the C1s for industry growth
Figure 7: UK population, by socio-economic group, 2003-13
Government guidelines and NICE guidance
Competitive Context
Key points
Lifestyle choices
Diet for health – not weight loss
Figure 8: Membership of slimming club, 2003-07
Reading your way to thinness
A surgical approach to body reshaping
Tone up or slim down
Magic away the excess fat
Cosmetics with slimming attributes
A future for combination beauty/slimming foods?
Strengths and Weaknesses in the Market
Strengths
Weaknesses
Market Size and Forecast
Key points
Dietary changes slow growth
Figure 9: UK estimated retail market of (selected) processed RFCS foods, 2003-08
Slimming aids see sales growth
Figure 10: UK retail sales of slimming aids, 2003-08
The future of the market
Healthy but slower growth
Figure 11: Forecast of the UK retail market of (selected) processed RFCS foods, 2003-13
Ageing population to promote further growth
Changing attitudes towards healthy eating
What next for slimming aids?
Strong growth predicted
Figure 12: Forecast of UK retail sales of slimming aids, at current prices, 2003-13
Figure 13: Forecast of UK retail sales of slimming aids, at 2008 prices, 2003-13
Segment Performance
Key points
Retail sales of selected RFCS foods
Figure 14: UK estimated retail sales of selected RFCS foods, by segment, 2004-08
RFCS foods – mixed fortunes
Improved choice of healthy biscuits
Line extensions in non-sweet biscuits
Sugar-free confectionery now standard
Jams, marmalade and spreads
Salads getting the dressing down
Consumers seek indulgent desserts
Healthier ice-creams appeal to consumers
NPD in low fat ready meals
Crisps reformulated to reduce fat levels
Yogurts with added claims
Meal replacements fading away
Figure 15: UK retail sales of meal replacements, 2003-08
Appetite suppressants expand sales base
Figure 16: UK retail sales of appetite suppressants/controllers*, 2003-08
VCLDs benefit from new entrants and NICE support
Figure 17: UK consumer sales of VLCDs, 2003-08
Companies and Products
Key points
Figure 18: Major RFCS and slimming brands offered within categories, 2008
RFCS
Weight Watchers International
Figure 19: Selected Weight Watchers licensees, 2008
Figure 20: Major Weight Watchers launches, 2006/07
Premier Foods
Arla Foods
Dairy Crest
Danone
Kraft
Müller
Unilever
United Biscuits
Walkers
Other
Meal replacements
Unilever
Other
Appetite controllers/suppressants
DDD Group
Nature’s Remedies Ltd
Other
Very-low calorie diets
Obesity Lifeline Ltd (trading as LighterLife)
Cambridge Nutritional Foods Ltd
Howard Foundation Research Ltd (HFR)
Vitaline Weight Control Ltd
Eurodiet
Supermarket own label
Figure 21: Retailer own brands in RFCS foods, 2008
Other own label initiatives
Brand Communication and Promotion
Key points
Rise in advertising on slimming aids
Figure 22: Main monitored media advertising expenditure on slimming aids and foods, 2004-08
Advertising – low priority
Figure 23: Main monitored media advertising expenditure on major meal replacement, appetite suppressants/controllers and vlcd campaigns, 2004-08
Strong focus on dairy markets
Figure 24: Main monitored media advertising expenditure on major rfcs campaigns, 2004-08
Weight Watchers watching carefully
Figure 25: Main monitored media advertising expenditure on weight watcher brand, 2004-08
Figure 26: Share of spend on weight watchers brand by media, 2004-08*
Channels to Market
Key points
Supermarket domination
Figure 27: Estimated retail distribution of RFCS foods, by sector, 2004-08
Multiples have lower profile
Figure 28: UK retail sales of meal replacements and appetite controllers/suppressants, by outlet type, 2004-08
More medical referrals
Other channels increase in importance
The Consumer – Ways to Lose Weight
Key points
How to lose weight
Figure 32: Things consumers would do if they wanted to lose weight, July 2008
Exercise – a delusion?
Healthy eating – the way forward for most
Cutting down on fat and sugar
Surgery – last resort
Dress that salad
Figure 33: Low calorie/lower fat/reduced sugar foods eaten in the last six months, July 2008
RFCS dairy products vary in popularity
Potential for growth in RFCS posh nosh
Frozen v chilled ready meals
Demographic profiling reveals all
Repertoire of slimming/RFCS foods eaten
Figure 34: Number of slimming/lower calorie foods eaten in the last six months, July 2008
Majority eat RFCS food
Yummy but pricey
Figure 35: Attitudes to slimming foods and low calorie (reduced fat/reduced calorie) foods, July 2008
Healthy eating debate
Communication, communication, communication
Reaching out to the sceptics
Appendix
Advertising data
Appendix – Internal Market Environment
Figure 38: Agreement with selected lifestyle statements, by demographic sub-group, 2007
Figure 39: Adults who are trying to lose weight, by demographics, 2003-07
Figure 40: Body mass index segments, by demographics, 2006 and 2007
Appendix: Segment Performance
Other categories
Cheese
Fresh and frozen meat:
Soups
Appendix – The Consumer: Ways to Lose Weight: Detailed Demographics
Figure 46: Things consumers would do if they wanted to lose weight, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 47: Things consumers would do if they wanted to lose weight, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 48: Things consumers would do if they wanted to lose weight, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 49: Things consumers would do if they wanted to lose weight, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 50: Low calorie/lower fat/reduced sugar foods eaten in the last six months, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 51: Low calorie/lower fat/reduced sugar foods eaten in the last six months, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 52: Low calorie/lower fat/reduced sugar foods eaten in the last six months, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 53: Low calorie/lower fat/reduced sugar foods eaten in the last six months, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 54: Number of slimming/lower calorie foods eaten in the last six months, demographics by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 55: Number of slimming/lower calorie foods eaten in the last six months, by types eaten (column %)
Figure 56: Number of slimming/lower calorie foods eaten in the last six months, by attitudes to food and diet in general, July 2008
Figure 57: Attitudes to slimming foods and low calorie (reduced fat/reduced calorie) foods, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 58: Attitudes to slimming foods and low calorie (reduced fat/reduced calorie) foods, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
Figure 59: Attitudes to slimming foods and low calorie (reduced fat/reduced calorie) foods, by gender, age, socio-economic group, standard region, employment status, daily newspapers read, age(s) of own children (including step-children), daily internet usage and supermarket usage, July 2008
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By market: United Kingdom
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