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Monday 25 July 2016

Demand for Low-calorie Food on the Rise Due to Increasing Incidence of Obesity

In the recent times, obesity has had an adverse impact on the health of individuals, communities, and countries worldwide. This is because obesity is closely associated with several health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. According to the World Health Organization, in 2010, the number of overweight children below the age of five years was 42 million worldwide. This requires a combination of medical intervention and consumption of low-calorie diet for treating the condition.


Q. What are the major factors driving the adoption of low-calorie food?

A. Across the world, the increasing obesity rate and increasing incidence of diabetes have raised alarms among both consumers and health authorities alike. To address this, the consumption of healthy food and the adoption of a healthy lifestyle are the measures that are being encouraged for the same. This has resulted in the increased demand for low-calorie food, which has addressed obesity considerably.

The increasing obesity rate among children, which is a major concern for parents, is also driving the demand for health-benefitting foods. To address this, the adoption of a healthy lifestyle and consumption of low-calorie food is on the rise. For instance, the U.S. has the highest obesity rate with almost 36.5% obese population; the U.K. accounts for the highest 24.8% obese population in Europe, whereas Australia accounts for the highest 28.3% obese population in Asia Pacific. The consumption of low-calorie food in these regions is addressing the obesity menace to some extent.

The rise in the average age of the population globally is also driving the demand low-calorie food. These individuals are adopting a healthy lifestyle, which includes consumption of low-calorie food, to prevent diseases in the long-run and for increased life expectancy.

Q. What are the factors holding back the growth of the low-calorie food market?

A. Despite the health benefits of low-calorie food and their role in treating several diseases, the demand for low-calorie food is hampered due to several reasons. First and foremost, the taste and discount factors are limiting the consumption of low-calorie food. Secondly, the consumption of artificial sweeteners has health implications, which is challenging the growth of the low-calorie food market.

The relatively high prices of low-calorie foods have limited their affordability in emerging economies; the growth of this market is largely reliant on developed countries that are nearly exhausted for the sales of low-calorie food.

Q. Is there a relationship between consuming low-calorie sweeteners and weight loss?

A. Yes. In a recent industry development, researchers at the University of Washington have found a strong link between the use of low-calorie sweetener and weight loss.

To validate this, researchers scrutinized data pertaining to the weight loss intent of individuals. They found that the utilization of low-calorie sweeteners was common among individuals who experienced weight loss fluctuations and were seeking to return to a lower weight. Also, individuals who used low-calorie sweeteners regularly have better diets than nonusers that do not allow weight gain easily.


On the other hand, individuals who have lost weight have a tendency to gain weight easily. This leads them to resume the strategies that were adopted earlier for weight loss, such as using low-calorie sweeteners. This suggests that the use of low-calorie sweetener is a remedy for weight loss.

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