Overweight and obesity remain a mounting challenge for the U.S. population. With new products entering the market almost daily claiming to help with weight loss, supplement companies are profiting at the expense of America’s health. While some supplements have research supporting their claims, many do not—not to mention the substantial price tag most carry.
So why do Americans continue feeding these companies their money despite limited evidence, and in most cases, minimal benefit from taking these supplements? Weight loss is challenging. When a promising shortcut is promoted to those who have been struggling, it becomes highly enticing. Once that supplement fails to deliver on its promises, another one waits to take its place.
Weight loss supplements come in many different forms, but they share one common claim: to assist or result in overall weight reduction. Often marketed as health aids, these supplements are typically taken orally and incorporate a wide range of ingredients from vitamins and minerals to fiber, herbs, caffeine, and more.
Most weight loss supplements aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) beyond food classification, which limits consumers’ ability to determine proper safety and efficacy. The statistics below reveal the substantial market for these products, consumer usage patterns, and more.
Weight Loss Supplement Statistics – Highlights
- Approximately 70% of Americans are obese or overweight
- Losing 5-10% of body weight through diet and exercise reduces cardiovascular disease risk in overweight or obese adults.
- 15% of adults have used a weight-loss supplement at some point in their lives
- More women (21%) report using weight loss supplements than men (10%)
- The global weight loss supplement market was valued at 33.4 billion in 2020
1. A comprehensive review of 315 clinical trials for weight loss supplements showed most supplements failed to produce weight loss among users.
Among 52 low risk of bias studies, only 16 demonstrated statistically significant weight differences compared to placebo groups. This reveals that dietary supplements and alternative weight loss therapies have limited efficacy evidence.
2. Americans spend an estimated 2.1 billion a year on weight loss pills
(NIH)
Due to their appealing nature, many Americans fall victim to clever marketing schemes from supplement companies promising quick and effortless weight loss. Although these supplements claim to offer an easier alternative to traditional diet and weight loss methods, many acknowledge that optimal results require combining their products with diet and lifestyle changes.
3. Nearly half (49.1%) of U.S. adults attempted to lose weight in 2018
(CDC)
As overweight and obese populations increase, weight loss attempts follow suit. With numerous studies revealing the detrimental health effects of excess weight, Americans are becoming increasingly desperate to find new ways to shed pounds, placing weight loss supplements squarely in the spotlight.
4. Only 5 weight loss supplements are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for long-term weight loss management
(NIDDK)
The five approved supplements include orlistat (Xenical, Alli), phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), liraglutide (Saxenda), and semaglutide (Wegovy). These supplements require prescriptions along with strict physician monitoring. Like all medications, they carry potential side effects and health risks. All are recommended alongside healthy diet and exercise routines.
5. Weight-loss medications are rarely prescribed to eligible patients
In a study of 2,248,407 patients, only 29,964 (1.3%) filled at least one weight loss medication prescription. Because prescription medications are limited in use and require prescriptions plus strict physician monitoring, many consumers opt for over-the-counter alternatives that lack supporting research.
6. 37.7% of Americans have a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2, and 7.7% have a BMI ≥40 kg/m2
A BMI ≥25 kg/m2 is considered overweight, while BMI ≥30 kg/m2 indicates obesity. This means over one-third of the U.S. population is considered obese—an alarming figure for many. Since this study’s completion, numbers were projected to continue rising.
7. Obesity is more common among lower-income individuals, those with less education, and some ethnic/racial minorities
This study reveals the impact weight loss supplement advertising can have on those with lower education levels or income who are seeking ways to lose weight. Since healthy foods cost more than convenience options, lower-income populations commonly turn to supplements believed to support weight loss as an alternative to changing their eating patterns.
8. In 2021, maintaining a healthy weight is the primary concern for 59% of women and 47% of men, with 51% wishing to reduce weight.
A substantial percentage of both men and women express high concern regarding their weight, making supplements more appealing when diet and exercise feel unsuccessful. The higher the priority for weight loss, the greater the likelihood of seeking a quick fix to boost or jumpstart progress.
9. According to a recent survey, 71% of Americans gained weight during the pandemic.
With the pandemic’s effects still lingering, many habits Americans developed during this period persist. Due to stress and fear during this time, many people turned to food for comfort while avoiding crowded gyms, resulting in steady weight gain. As life gradually returns to normal, the desire to lose pandemic weight intensifies, creating opportunities for supplement companies to target this population.
10. A 2019 study found that 1,000 participants, ages 25 and under, experienced health issues linked to dietary supplements for weight loss between 2004 and 2015.
According to a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, a significant portion of younger participants experienced adverse effects from dietary supplements. Of those 1,000 participants, 166 required hospitalization and 22 died. This study demonstrates the major health risks some supplements pose to consumers, particularly younger and more impressionable individuals.
Want to learn more about the supplement industry? Here are 18 supplement industry statistics that are very interesting.
