$38 Billion U.S. Commercial Weight Loss Market Pivots To Survive GLP-1 Drugs Explosion

March 24, 2025 - Marketdata LLC, a leading market research firm tracking the weight loss market since 1989, has just released a new report: “The U.S. Weight Loss Market: Commercial (non-medical) Programs & Products”. This 220-page report is the most comprehensive analysis of the commercial weight loss market ever published – covering commercial weight loss centers, weight loss apps/virtual services, diet soft drinks, artificial sweeteners, meal replacements & retail appetite suppressants, and low-cal foods.

The business has gone virtual, and some competitors have added the GLP-1 drugs to their programs to position themselves for a new future.

However, some commercial markets have held up well. Diet soft drinks have shown surprising strength, and high protein meal replacements have been positioned as an adjunct to the weight loss drugs. The weight loss apps market is growing strongly. The ranks of commercial weight loss centers have been thinned, and franchising is all but dead as a growth model.

“The $38 billion U.S. commercial weight loss market is 15% larger than in 2020, but has had to pivot to adjust to huge competition from the popular GLP-1 drugs. The large commercial chains have been hurt the most since 2022.”, according to Research Director, John LaRosa.

Major Findings:

* Marketdata estimates that the U.S. commercial (non-medical) weight loss market, for programs, products and services, was worth $38.4 billion in 2024, down slightly from $38.8 billion in 2022. Commercial services represent 53% of the $72.2 billion total market now, down from 82% in 2020, prior to the GLP-1 drugs market explosion.

* The commercial weight loss programs market segment contracted by 29.2% in 2023, to $3.24 billion, and another 23.7% to $2.47 billion in 2024, due to competition from GLP-1s drugs. This amounts to a 56% decline in just two years.

* Commercial weight loss companies have lost $2 billion in revenues since 2022 due to the competition from GLP-1 drugs. Jeny Craig went bankrupt, Profile Plan closed, and NutriSystem’s private equity parent Wellful is having debt issues. MLMs were also hurt.

* The “average” weight loss center had annual receipts of $646,250 in 2022. But, sales have fallen since then, to $484,000 per center in 2024.

* There may be an opportunity for commercial weight loss firms to post some growth in the second half of 2025. The GLP-1s shortage is over, and the compounding pharmacies have to stop making these meds as of May 22. Consumers will then have to pay full price for the brand name meds. Many will opt for less costly (non-medical) diet programs.

* The business has gone virtual. Operating a retail, brick & mortar weight loss center or franchise has become too difficult in this era, with rising real estate and staff costs. 650 weight loss franchises closed since 2022. Many businesses have pivoted to a virtual delivery model, which can be scaled larger and quicker, and is more profitable.

* Some weight loss market segments have held up well: meal replacements, diet soft drinks, and weight loss apps (a growing $990 million market).

About The Report

“The U.S. Weight Loss Market: Commercial (non-medical) Programs & Products”, is a 220-page market research analysis, with 62 table & charts. Price: $1,495. A 25-page Overview Summary is also available for $99. The report may be purchased and a Table of Contents can be found at: www.marketdataenterprises.com. Contact: Marketdata LLC, 7210 Wareham Drive, Tampa, FL 33647, (813-971-8080). John LaRosa is available for interviews.

This Marketdata report is a completely updated analysis of the U.S. weight loss market, with a heavy focus on commercial weight loss centers/services – how they have been affected by and are responding to competition from the popular GLP-1 drugs.

The analysis ncludes… dollar value & growth rates of all major commercial weight loss market segments (early 1980s to 2024 and 2025 & 2028 forecasts), latest market trends and company developments, status reports for: diet soft drinks, artificial sweeteners, commercial weight loss centers, multi-level marketing diet plans, retail and MLM meal replacements and weight loss supplements, and low-cal frozen entrees . Analysis of the medical weight loss programs market and competition from MDs, hospitals, medical clinic chains, and telehealth.

The report includes a 35-year revenue analysis of the market through past recessions and fad diet cycles, plus weight loss center franchising, and extensive national/state commercial centers’ operating ratios. Rankings & revenues of top commercial chains, brand sales, and a Reference Directory. Competitor profiles for: Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, NutriSystem, Medifast, Herbalife, Noom, MyFitness Pal, Slim-Fast (Glanbia), Simply Good Foods (Atkins Nutritionals), Slimgenics, Profile by Sanford, BeachBody, Metabolic Research, Visalis Life Sciences, Isagenix, Shaklee, AMWAY, and Nu-Skin.

About Marketdata

Marketdata LLC is a 46-year old, independent market research firm with a specialty tracking the weight loss market since 1989. It publishes a wide variety of reports about service and healthcare sectors, and performs consulting, custom research projects, and teleconference calls. Marketdata also operates a free weight loss news website, www.DietBusinessWatch.com, updated daily with the latest weight loss market and competitor news, analyses and a blog by John LaRosa.

Contact Information

John LaRosa

Research Director

Marketdata LLC

(1) 8139718080

john@marketdataenterprises.com