Cath Lab Digest

  Whether it's a suggestion from a physician or an overall need to slim down, almost everyone experiences the desire to exercise more or eat healthier at some point in their lives. According to the latest research from Mintel, more African American adults who are watching their diet are doing so for health reasons and not in efforts to lose weight. In fact, 56% of African American adults are dieting to lose weight, compared to 63% of White adults, 57% of Asian adults, and 54% of Hispanic adults. Moreover, 70% of African American adults who limit the amount and/or kind of food consumed say they're doing so for general wellness and 46% say they're watching their diet to maintain their current weight. A total of 52% are eating healthier to prevent or control high blood pressure. According to one multicultural analyst, these adults are concerned with controlling cholesterol, blood sugar levels, hypertension, salt intake and other health-related issues. This demographic needs effective, targeted solutions that can help them reach their weight loss goals rather than information that focuses on appearance, which may not speak to their concerns—as dieting simply to be thinner isn't as important. Twenty-six percent of respondents who are cutting back on the amount or kind of food they consume say boredom with the good food they are noshing makes it difficult to curb their eating habits. Additionally, 35% report that the challenge to find healthy options at restaurants is to blame, while 26% say hunger pangs test their willpower to eat better. Marketers should emphasize elements of delicious taste to make healthier products more appealing to the African American community. For example, emphasizing the 'creamy taste' of a low-fat item or the fact that it's 'less greasy' compared to a full-fat item may help African American consumers focus on attributes other than delicious taste, and create interest in trying a low-in item. Forty-two percent of African American adults who limit the amount and/or kind of food they eat believe that most diets don't work and nearly half (49%) say they have a hard time sticking to a diet. Meanwhile, 60% say they would like to eat more healthy foods, but it's just too expensive.

  For more information, visit www.mintel.com .