Weight Management and Wellbeing in Saudi Arabia

2020 IMPACT

Category sales decline in 2020 as consumers focus their spending elsewhere

While the major changes in lifestyle seen in 2020 presented a potentially attractive scenario for sales of weight management and wellbeing, the reality was declining sales for the category over the course of the year as Saudi consumers in general prefer to focus their consumer health spending on products that respond more directly to the COVID-19 situation, specifically OTC analgesics, digestive remedies and cough, cold and allergy (hay fever) remedies. Nevertheless, with obesity having been identified as a key risk factor for more serious cases of COVID-19, the attention of Saudi consumers on their weight and the problems that excessive weight can cause for them and their general health has been brought into sharper focus.

Lack of exercise due to social distancing balances lack of access to fast food

one of the most notable unintended consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and wellness of Saudi consumers during 2020 was the propensity for people to put on weight. This was not due to the COVID-19 virus itself; rather, it was the consequence of social distancing and home seclusion, which meant that many people were engaged in far lower levels of physical activity than they would otherwise be.

Meal replacement the only category to register positive growth in 2020

Meal replacement was the one bright spot in weight management and wellbeing in 2020 as the category appealed to a population facing major changes in their dietary habits due to the unavailability of the consumer foodservice industry amidst the quarantines and curfews that were in place throughout the Kingdom for much of the year. With many people forced to make significant changes to their eating habits, and with opportunities to obtain physical activity and exercise diminished, it was easy for many people to make the shift towards meal replacement.

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