Diets: What the World is Searching For

The search overlords at Google have produced another new toy - Google Trends - which "aims to provide insights into broad search patterns". So what does it tell us about diet trends?

Here is a graph comparing Atkins Diet, Weight Watchers, and South Beach Diet - arguably the three biggest weight loss enterprises over the last few years. The term "Food Pyramid" is also in there for good measure.

This isn't a scientific survey but a glance at the results is fascinating:

Atkins was phenomenally popular at the beginning of 2004 - but has since trended downwards. It has worldwide appeal - with a large proportion of searches from Ireland, South Africa, and the UK. Ironically searches for Atkins continue at a similar pace to "Food Pyramid"
The South Beach Diet is a phenomenon in the US and Canada, but not as strong in the rest of the world.
Weight Watchers. What can you say? This is one colossus of a brand - interest is a country mile ahead of other weight loss programs.
New Years? That is most definitely weight loss time - and it's all downhill from there until the next year.

5 Comments

lowcarb_dave

I see the Atkins Diet being replaced by something else. The actual Diet was promoted by the late Dr Robert C Atkins. Now he's past on, there is only the junk food company that has distanced itself from lowcarb, and is now selling bars (since they are now out of bankrupcy).

The Low carb approach is not dead, and continues along with true devotees focussing on Whole Foods and not 'Low Carb Foods'.

It's a bit like the internet continuing after the Internet bubble burst!

Randy Smith, MD

This graph shows very well why diets don't work - they are all very popular around the first of the year.

www.antiagingatlanta.com

iportiom

Seems that weight watchers is even more popular that the food pyramid. If you follow weight watchers you are actually getting your fruits, veggies and dairy in.
Atkins was very popular at one time but Atkins death, and the rapid regains with his diet have spelled trouble for Atkins Diet. There are also more balanced lower carb, slow carb and whole carb diets out there.

Kent Altena

More interesting is a variation of the above:

Basically it shows all approaches (low carb, low fat, food pyramid) being equal. Either way, I know what worked for me.

Jon Henshaw

It's interesting to see the Atkins diet losing so much interest. This is a good thing, since I don't think their plan has a balanced diet.

I've used Weight Watchers before, and I think out of all of the companies that help people diet, they're the most legit.