ooming, more and more hospitals are establishing diet clinics and there is a proliferation of prepackaged low-calorie foods on the market" (Tompson, 1990, p. 52). Independent weight-loss centers are not the only winners today and in the future. Hospitals have found this industry a boon to "lure patients and boost sagging revenues" (Miller, Springer, Buckley and Williams, 1989, p. 57).
While it is difficult for many individuals to determine which commercial weight loss program is the best one for them, what makes it even more difficult is that while only a handful of the programs do survey and research studies on the success of their clients (follow-up regarding how long they are able to maintain their weight loss), there is an inconsistency of the word "success." For example, Weight Watchers International studies "often (show) a discrepancy between what it views as successful and what the client views as successful" (Miller, Springer and Williams, 1989, p. 57).
While there is so much competition between the many weightloss programs, Nutri/System found that fewer than 50 percent of dieters said price was a factor in determining which weight loss center they would choose (Miller, et. al., 1989, p. 57). Commercial weight-loss clinics, a $3.4 billion dollar a year industry, is part of this billion dollar diet industry.
However, a recent article in Business Week, cites some differing statistics. According to the most recent MarketData research, while commercial diet center revenues grew by 18 percent annually through the 1980's, it is anticipated that revenues in 1991 may fall (Schroeder, 1991, p. 132). The research company cites two reasons for the probable fall - the recession, which has caused many dieters to turn to cheaper, do-it-yourself liquid diets, and increasing public concern over the safety of diet-center programs.
According to MarketData Enterprises, "an estimated 20 million Americans will spend nearly $1 bill...