(07-01-07) Increased laxative use linked to obesity rise

Binge drinking and rising obesity are leading more people to take laxatives to monitor their weight, a new study claims.

Research from consumer goods analyst Mintel shows the greatest level of growth in the gastro-Intestinal (GI) remedies market is from laxatives.

Over the last five years the market for GI remedies has seen a 26 per cent growth, with sales set to hit ?245 million this year.

Laxatives have seen 33 per cent growth over the last five years and an increase of almost 50 per cent is expected in the next five years.

Although laxatives are often purchased by older people to tackle constipation, Mintel argues that "the British public's increasingly dysfunctional relationship with food and diet" accounts for some of this growth as people see them as a 'quick-fix' answer to their weight problems.

"While rising affluence and more frequent travel abroad have fuelled an interest in foreign, often spicy food, as well as richer meals offered on the tables of fine dining restaurants, Britain has simultaneously seen rising demand for takeaways and fast food, often high in fat and low in nutritional value," said David Bird, senior market analyst at Mintel.

"All this and the rise of binge drinking have lead to high levels of obesity in the British population, which in turn can lead to digestive problems and a greater need for GI remedies."

He added: "On the flip side of overeating in Britain, we have seen a preoccupation with under-eating and perpetual dieting, with the debate of heroin chic and most recently the size zero celebrities and models still raging unabated in the media."

Government figures released earlier this year warned that by 2010 there will be more than 12 million adults and one million children obese unless steps are taken to halt this growth.

Source: Inthenews:couk

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In evidenza

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