Obesity has been described as an American epidemic, with perhaps one-third of the adult population over the age of 20 being heavier than their ideal weight. American workers are also some of the most productive in the world, working long hours. This can translate into little time to prepare low-calorie meals to aid in weight loss. In the Baltimore area and across the country, diet delivery services bring health-conscious meals to the door.
Significance
According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), from 2001 to 2004, nearly 64 million adults, or nearly one-third, are obese. One-third of those are on a diet at any one time---about 21 million---and of that number, about 10 percent take advantage of diet delivery services, or about two million people. With the growth of the Internet and a surge in convenience foods, diet delivery services are a convenient means of acquiring healthy and delicious meals with little thought or effort. In a time of soaring fuel prices and hectic work schedules, this option may also make good economic sense in many cases.
History of
History of:
Home delivery of prepared diet meals has been a growth industry over the past several years. The first services of this kind began arising with the growth of the Internet back around 1997. More than 10 percent of the dieters in the United States are now participating or are interested in this service. Dieters enjoy a wide variety of menu options in a fresh-prepared, shelf-stable, or frozen form.
Geography
Home delivery of diet foods is a national niche market. A number of nationally-known diet programs distribute their products across the country from regional processing facilities. Those supplying diet food delivery services in Baltimore generally have these facilities in the Washington, DC metro area. A growing handful of local Baltimore suppliers are also providing home delivery service of their products.
Features
Depending upon which company is selected for diet delivery services, customers have a choice of several menu options. Companies usually offer at least a choice between 1,200- and 1,500-calorie per day selections, a figure which includes snacks. There are plans that offer low-fat, low-carb, low-sodium, vegetarian, diabetic, and senior-citizen meals. Many firms, especially those that are part of a national weight-loss entity, will provide nutritional counseling for free or for an additional fee. Ordering is generally quite convenient, either online or by phone 24 hours a day.
Benefits
One of the main benefits of diet delivery services in Baltimore is the savings in time. Dieters who have overscheduled themselves in other areas of their lives do not have to fight through traffic to pick up foods at diet centers. Moreover, ready-to-eat prepared menu items take the drudgery out of cooking tasty and diet-conscious meals, saving another trip across the city to shop for groceries. This is a special benefit for diabetics who must constantly calculate the amount of carbohydrates in their diets. Some of the companies also offer meal plans tailored specifically for the senior population who may not eat a balanced diet due to physical limitations or social isolation.
Risk Factors
Convenience comes at a price, and this is the major risk factor involved in diet delivery services in Baltimore. Prices typically are in the range of $400 to $1,000 per month, depending on which features are selected. Other possible pitfalls include elevated sodium content, meal plans that hinder targeted weight-loss goals, inadequate customer service, and inconvenient times for delivery. Though most companies allow for some minor substitutions in their plans, there is often an additional surcharge for the service.
