Atkins Nutritional Approach: Encyclopedia II - Atkins Nutritional Approach - Popularity

Atkins Nutritional Approach - Popularity

The Atkins Nutritional Approach gained widespread popularity in 2003 and 2004. At the height of its popularity one in eleven adults were on the diet [1]. This large following was blamed for large declines in the sales of carb-heavy foods like pasta and rice (sales were down 8.2 and 4.6 percent respectively in 2003 [2]). The diet's success were even blamed for a decline in Krispy Kreme sales [3]. Trying to capitalize on the "low-carb craze" many companies released special product lines which were low in carbohydrates. Coca-Cola released C2 and Pepsi-Cola created Pepsi Edge (which is scheduled to be discontinued later in 2005 [4]).

When Robert Atkins died in 2003, the nutritional plan suffered from rumors and allegations that he had died from a heart condition brought about because of his weight. (In actuality, he slipped on icy pavement and sustained a head injury which was ultimately fatal.) Surveys conducted by Forbes found that the Atkins Nutritional Approach is one of the most expensive diet plans [5], most likely due to the emphasis on fresh foods such as vegetables & meats. On July 31, 2005, the Atkins Nutritional company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after the percentage of adults on the diet declined to two percent and sales of Atkins brand product fell steeply in the second half of 2004 [6].

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Popularity", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki