Jenny Craig

I guess it was only a matter of time before one of the most popular diet companies on the planet went after the other gender.

Jen4Men™ has launched in Australia and New Zealand targeting men who find themselves fighting in the "battle of the bulge." Jenny Craig™ has a section for men on their USA based website, but for obvious reasons not many men would proudly proclaim they were on Jenny Craig to lose weight.

Valerie Bertinelli and Marie Osmond have as much in common now as they did in the 70's. Former small screen rivals, they've now become dietary rivals.

In one corner, representing Jenny Craig: Valerie Bertinelli. Pounds lost: 49 Book deals: 1 Bikini-clad People Magazine covers: 1 Noteworthy Quote: "Well, please. I mean, have you tried their food? But look, seriously, it's known that Jenny Craig has the best tasting food. That's just a fact." Future plans: Exercise DVD

Last week Kirstie Alley parted company with the Jenny Craig weight loss program.

"Fired for being too fat!" shouts the National Enquirer headlines.

Business site Bankrate compares the cost of losing 30 lbs (13.5 kg) using 5 major weight loss programs.

What is the real cost of using NutriSystem, Weight Watchers, LA Weight Loss, The Zone Diet or Jenny Craig?

Jenny Craig have signed up another celebrity endorsement deal - this time with TV actress Valerie Bertinelli (One Day at a Time, Touched by an Angel).

Bertinelli aims to lose 30lbs with the Jenny Craig program and will feature in commercials along with Kirstie Alley - as well as having her own blog.

How credible are celebrity-endorsed weight loss programs?

Oprah Winfrey is arguably one of the most influential people around. If she endorses a book - it becomes a number one bestseller overnight.

Recently Kirstie Alley chose to appear on the Oprah show to promote her own weight loss story and "new" body.

Both of these women are role models - but how helpful are they when it comes to either weight loss or self-acceptance?

Nestlé is one of the larger food and beverage companies in the world. The acquisition is also part of Nestlé's effort to expand its presence in what is described as the "functional food" category through its Nestlé Nutrition unit, which manufacturers PowerBars, baby foods and a series of nutritionally enriched products for the elderly (src)

This time of year the magazines are heavily embellished with sensational weight loss stories. Some are uplifting, some believable, and some are nothing but hype.

Kirstie Alley has featured heavily (no pun intended - honest!) - with dramatic before-and-after pictures. She promotes the weight loss program Jenny Craig, and has been appearing in a new round of TV commercials. Apparently because she's not fat anymore - "It's Raining Men..."