The Confusion Around Weight Loss
Type "diet" into Google and you’ll get over 2.2 billion results. Add another 2 billion for "weight loss." And yet, more than half of consumers say their dieting efforts yield minimal results. They're inundated with conflicting advice and unrealistic promises, and for many, weight management becomes a cycle of trying, failing, and starting over.
Top challenges include resisting indulgent foods and a lack of awareness about sugar and calorie intake. And all of this takes place against a backdrop of metabolic dysfunction and chronic illness.
Weight and Wellness: A Deeper Connection
The conversation is shifting. Consumers are no longer just chasing a number on the scale. Increasingly, weight loss is viewed through the lens of metabolic health.
This shift is driven by deeper motivations:
- Long-term wellness
- Avoiding chronic illnesses like diabetes and cardiovascular disease
- Improving daily energy and vitality
With nearly half the population managing conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or prediabetes, the urgency is growing. Obesity is now a global epidemic, with over 2.5 billion adults overweight and 890 million classified as obese.2
As a result, regulatory agencies are stepping in. Definitions of "healthy" are evolving, additives are under scrutiny, and manufacturers are being held to a higher standard. Consumers, especially younger generations, are responding by demanding smarter, science-backed solutions.
GLP-1: A Breakthrough and a Wake-Up Call
Drugs like Ozempic (GLP-1 receptor agonists) have made waves, offering a powerful new tool for weight loss. But their rise is also a signal: traditional methods aren’t working for everyone.
- Nearly 90% of GLP-1 users had tried traditional weight loss methods first
- 77% report side effects, with 38% considering quitting due to severity
- 56% believe these drugs should be reserved for people who can prove they’ve tried other methods first3
While GLP-1s are effective, they’re not a cure-all. Cost, access, delivery method (injections) and side effects are real concerns. And they don’t replace the need for lifestyle changes. Instead, they reinforce it.
GLP-1 success is most sustainable when combined with dietary changes, physical activity, and proper hydration. This opens the door to natural GLP-1 boosters—nutritional solutions that mimic or support the body’s own hormone response.
Consumers Want More Than a Quick Fix
There is a growing appetite for functional nutrition that supports metabolic health in a holistic, sustainable way. People want foods, beverages, and supplements that do more than fill them up:
- Protein and fiber-rich options that support satiety and muscle retention
- Gut-friendly and clean-label products with biotics, plant-based ingredients, and minimal processing
- Convenient formats that align with busy lives: powders, bars, gummies, and ready-to-drink options
- Functional hydration with electrolytes and metabolic-supporting ingredients
Importantly, indulgence still matters. Consumers are looking for products that deliver taste and texture while helping them stay on track.
Who Are Today’s Weight Management Consumers?
From Glanbia Nutritionals’ research, three key consumer profiles are emerging:
1. Weight Trimmers
Focused on shedding a few pounds and toning up. Active, health-conscious, and protein-aware.
2. Weight Shedders
Motivated by significant weight loss goals (30+ lbs). Many have tried and failed in the past. Hydration and macronutrient balance are key priorities.
3. T2D Managers
Primarily focused on managing Type 2 Diabetes, but weight loss is a secondary goal. These consumers want solutions that regulate blood sugar and support long-term health.4
While each group has slightly different priorities, each of these groups values nutrient-dense, functional products that deliver results.
The Future of Weight and Metabolic Health
Forward-thinking brands are leading the charge with ingredient innovations that target weight management, appetite control, and metabolic optimisation.
Today’s functional nutrition is evolving—where satiety, hormone balance, gut health, and sustained energy are no longer separate goals, but interconnected pillars of a smarter, more holistic approach.
The Role of Glanbia Nutritionals
At Glanbia Nutritionals, we understand the science and the market. Our portfolio is designed to meet the evolving needs of consumers and brands alike and includes :
- High-quality functional protein solutions tailored for flavour, texture and stability
- Bioactives that support metabolic function and satiety
- Expertise in creating nutrient-dense formulations that align with your product goals
- Clean-label, customisable solutions for a wide range of product formats
We help brands turn science into shelf-ready innovation.
