The diet business has never been in better shape - unlike many of its customers. But with research suggesting 95% of slimmers regain the weight, does the diet industry rely on our failure to make its profits?

BBC News Online Business Reporter, Laura Cummings, wrote, "There are no official statistics for spending on diet products, but estimates vary from $40bn to $100bn in the US alone - more than the combined value of the government's budget for health, education and welfare. But concerns are growing that this very industry is fueling our rising obesity levels - after all, it would be a very short-lived business if we all succeeded first time."