Diet and Weight Reducing Centers NAICS 812191

Jan 5, 2026 - Slower Growth Forecast

• Sales for the US diet and weight reducing industry are projected to grow at a CAGR of 1.94% between 2025 and 2029, slower than the overall economy‘s anticipated growth, according to a forecast from Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. Weight loss services are in the “other services” sector, driven by consumer spending and business expenditure. Consumer sentiment is expected to improve in the forecast period, which bodes well for the industry. Real disposable income is expected to rise 1.8% in 2025 and 1.6% in 2026, limited by a slow rise of employment and higher consumption prices.
• Consumer sentiment ended 2025 on weak footing, creating a challenging demand environment for diet and weight reducing centers, according to major consumer indicators. The University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment fell to 52.9, a decline of 28.5% year over year. The Index of Current Economic Conditions declined 32.9%, while the Index of Consumer Expectations rose slightly month to month but remained 25.5% below 2024 levels. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index also dropped to 89.1, its fifth consecutive monthly decline, with the Present Situation Index falling sharply to 116.8. Consumers grew more hesitant toward discretionary services, and plans for elective programs softened. Although year ahead inflation expectations eased to 4.2%, 63% of consumers still expect rising unemployment, reinforcing caution around non essential wellness spending. Overall sentiment remains well below last year, signaling continued headwinds for weight management providers reliant on discretionary household budgets.

• According to Gallup’s National Health and Well-Being Index, the US adult obesity rate has declined from 39.9% in 2022 to 37.0% in 2025, representing 7.6 million fewer obese adults in a shifting weight loss landscape. This shift coincides with a surge in GLP-1 injectable use for weight loss, rising from 5.8% to 12.4% since early 2024. For the weight loss program industry, this trend signals a competitive shift as consumers increasingly turn to pharmaceutical solutions like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy). Traditional programs can adapt by integrating medical weight management options or emphasizing lifestyle support. Usage is highest among adults aged 50–64 (17.0%) and 40–49 (16.2%), who also saw the largest drops in obesity rates. With 89% of Americans now aware of GLP-1s and 13 states covering them under Medicaid, accessibility is expanding. However, diabetes diagnoses continue to rise, underscoring the need for holistic approaches beyond medication.
• WeightWatchers exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2025, reducing its debt load by $1.15 billion, the company announced. WeightWatchers has struggled in recent years to adapt its business model to the fast-changing weight loss industry, which has been upended by weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. While the company has added a clinical component incorporating weight-loss drugs, the growth has not been fast enough to offset a decline in subscriptions to its core programs. CEO Tara Comote said the company expects to accelerate its transformation following the bankruptcy. It is adding a new program aimed at supporting women through perimenopause, menopause, and post menopause with clinical care, nutritional strategies, and coaching. Per Comote, “Our integrated model, spanning clinical care, behavioral support, and community, puts us in a powerful position to reinforce our leadership in long-term weight health.”