A survey that was recently released in the United States that looked into the eating patterns of the American people has had an effect on a whole range of shares in the US stock market especially those of dieting companies.

The findings of the survey showed that 60% of US adults had a desire to lose as much as 20 pounds in weight. The research that was done by the NPD Group and entitled "Eating Patterns in America" also noted that the number of adults who were dieting last year had dropped to its lowest figure for 16 years.

The figures show that despite America getting more and more obese the number of people dieting is going down. Some people associate this with the reason that as there are so many overweight and obese adults in America there is less pressure felt to diet as opposed to in a country that has very few obese people.

Last year for example 26% and 19% of men all over America claimed to be dieting. This figure is down from 35% and 26% respectively in the year 1990. The study also noted that the most popular way of dieting is the patients own diet, followed by a diet that was prescribed by a doctor and finally Weight Watchers diets were the third most popular.

The American obesity problem is like no other country’s. The American people are over one third obese and two thirds are overweight. It has got to the point where in parts of American people feel very comfortable being obese and eating masses as that is what everyone else is doing.

The weight loss industry in America is huge as many people turn to supplements and diet advice to lose weight. The cost to the country in terms of productivity and medical bills is huge and will carry on rising unless something is done fast.