Online Dieter Research - Quarterly Report 1st Quarter

Abstract

Marketdata Enterprises (the leading analyst of the weight loss market since 1989) operates a website named: BestDietForMe.com. This site is now one of the leading weight loss information and analysis portals on the Internet. BestDietForme essentially is a real-time data collection vehicle to monitor national online dieter behavior, daily. A total of 7,443 people were included in the 1st quarter 2008 sample--people that filled out an in-depth 50-question online survey. Comparative data for the 1st quarter of 2007 and 4th quarter 2007 included in this report.

Each quarter, Marketdata compiles and analyzes the responses of this sample, producing a wealth of statistics that are compared to previous quarters. The service was begun with the 1st quarter 2005. Companies seeking to measure shifting online dieter preferences for types of weight loss programs, food/exercise/budget/support & motivation and other preferences, will find these reports extremely helpful in tracking fickle dieter behavior. The service is applicable to: providers of weight loss programs/products, health clubs, ad agencies & PR firms with weight loss clients, diet website operators, low-cal food & beverage/diet food mfrs., hospitals & surgeons with weight loss programs-any company trying to reach dieters online.

Statistical tables are supplemented by in-depth analyses and commentary, based on Marketdata' s ongoing research and 19 year knowledge of the weight loss market.

Table of Contents

Each quarterly report will track 112 measures, including the following:

• gender
• age (5 categories)
• BMI (body mass index (separately for 5 categories, 18.5-40+)
• Percent opting in for special offers from diet companies
• Percent leaving first name
• Pregnant or nursing percentage
• Medical conditions, percent indicating at least one
• Their diet budget (separately for 6 categories: under $250 to $3,000+)
• Preferred weight loss program location (separately for 8 locations: home, weight loss center, hospital, worksite, health club, healthcare pro' s office, residential facility, celebrity program)
• Interest in weight loss (bariatric) surgery - percent
• Interest in home delivery of diet food - percent
• Preferred diet counselor format (separately for: self-directed, 1-to-1, small group, large group)
• Type food plan desired (separately for: grocery store food, pre-packaged diet co. food, meal replacements, liquid supplements)
• Percent interested only in diet plans with pre-planned daily menus
• Percent with special food needs, allergies, food sensitivities
• Readiness to begin a diet program (immediately-6 months)
• Previous types of diet plans used (percent by 18 types)
• Exercise preferences (separately for: online coaching, personal trainer, on-site classes, etc.)
• Psychological support needs: percent identified by BestDietForMe.com analysis as needing... emotional eating support, stimulus control, social eating skills support

Also Included...

• Discussion and analysis of the online dieting market: nature, market size.
• Full-year 2007 financials and company developments, findings from conference calls for: eDiets, Medifast, NutriSystem, Weight Watchers.
• Updated 2008 forecast of weight loss mkt. growth, by segment, discuss major developments.
• Recent weight loss market developments: emerging trends in online and off-line diet program marketing, start of new 2008 "diet season", diet food home delivery growth slows, advertising/marketing trends, lap band surgeries being promoted online/offline by J&J and Allergan, new chains, more.
• List of the top diet websites.
• Latest Alexa traffic rankings of the top diet websites ( Oct. 2007, Jan. and April 2008 traffic)
• Forecasts and early identification of key trends.
• 30-page Overview of major findings from April edition of "The U.S. Weight Loss & Diet Control Market", outlook for the entire U.S. weight loss market and its 10 segments, with 2002-2006 sales, 2010 forecasts, emerging trends, covering: diet websites, commercial chains, health clubs industry, diet food home delivery services, meal replacements, OTC diet pills, diet/low-carb foods, diet soft drinks, artificial sweeteners, diet drugs, weight loss surgery, MD/dietitian/hospital-based programs, diet books & exercise videos, and more.
• Reference Directory Of Weight Loss Industry Information Sources