The diet business: Banking on failure

(BBC News) - The business of slimming has had a well-documented meteoric rise.

From the lengthening queues at slimming clubs, to the raft of celebrity-led fads, it is now almost a prerequisite to be following some kind of diet - or "eating programme" as they are now fashionably known.

And while the global economy's woes continue, the diet business is one industry that shows no signs of slowing.

There are no official statistics for spending on diet products, but estimates vary from $40bn to $100bn in the US alone - more than the combined value of the government's budget for health, education and welfare.

But concerns are growing that this very industry is fuelling our rising obesity levels - after all, it would be a very short-lived business if we all succeeded first time.

Rising commodity

The body has long been viewed as a commodity.

But as obesity levels in the West soar, its cash-generating potential has never been so great for food companies.

The same manufacturer can now feed us the ever-increasing pre-packaged meals and snacks that have come to characterise our supermarket shelves, while producing a growing range of "low fat/sugar/starch" varieties.

Ultimately, the companies' bottom line is a financial one - and they're rather hoping this bottom does look big.

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