Overweight and obesity has rapidly risen high up amongst the health concerns. What was initially thought to be an affliction affecting the rich has now rapidly spread to the poor in the affluent countries. It has also spread amongst the rich in the developing countries. It has come to be identified with the urban population. This is clearly an indication that obesity has got more to do with diet and lifestyles. Increase in carbohydrate consumption has been more than consumption of fat in affluent countries. The carbohydrate consumption primarily comes from consumption of sweetened beverages. About a quarter of the daily calorie intake amongst the adult population in the United States comes from beverages. Similarly the calorie content of fast food too has increased over time. The consumption of beverages and fast food has considerably been increasing. For instance, there has been a three fold increase in the consumption of fast food while calories intake has risen four times during the last two decades. This increased calorie intake has contributed primarily to over weight reaching epidemic proportion.

The products found in the weight loss market are books, crmes, pills, body belts, food supplements, food products, body wraps, CDs, diet programs, lotions, diet drinks, rings and earrings. Medical procedures and pharmaceuticals are deployed to deal with obesity. Besides these, there are professionals in the field of obesity, personal coaches, fitness centers and weight loss groups.