In Part 1, we cover the top trends in nutrition and fitness for 2006, and the risks and opportunities they offer health and wellness businesses.

Top Nutrition Trends in 2006

1. Phood and nutraceuticals.

These functional foods, beverages and supplements offer a pharmaceutical, health or medical benefit. Not surprisingly, these products are filling the vacuum left by the low-carb collapse.

Hot buttons for 2006: antioxidants, healthy chocolate, whole grains, gluten-free, soy and omega-3 supplementation, and organic foods.

Newer products include vitamin waters, heart-healthy cereals, antioxidant-rich chocolate, and yogurt supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids, as well as antioxidant-rich fruits and juices like acai, pomegranate, blueberry, and noni.

Organic sales continue to increase sharply despite generally higher prices than conventional products. In fact, demand already exceeds supply for many organics.

Still not convinced consumers are ready for these products? You can buy the Mars soy-fortified CocoaVia bar at Wal-Mart next to Hershey’s new antioxidant-rich candy bars.

What this means: These products intrigue many of your customers.  If your business focuses on nutrition and supplements, take a fresh look at your product mix.  If you're fitness-focused, consider offering a selection of functional foods.  They're a great tie-in for nutritional counseling services and workshops.

2. Back to basics.

As we correctly predicted for 2005, we expect no new diet fads in 2006. Instead, expect a back-to-basics focus on calorie counting and portion control, calorie quality, and calorie density of convenience and snack foods.

One trend we do think will stick: swapping healthier alternatives for more indulgent foods.

Mainstream food producers are jumping on this back-to-basics bandwagon. Frito-Lay’s “Smart Spot” program highlights products that achieve certain nutritional goals. Frito-Lay says that the company’s healthier products are growing three times faster than their traditional snacks.

The expansion of chains like Extreme Pita and Topz healthier-burgers also supports this trend. We expect other chains to continue to add healthier choices in 2006. Some larger chains will -- reluctantly -- make more nutrition data available in response to customer demand and the threat of more regulation.

What this means: Customers want guidance on smart eating.  And they want it in various forms - books, websites, individual coaching, workshops and other educational sessions, guided grocery trips, recipe makeovers, and comprehensive weight management programs.  Every wellness business should consider how it addresses this need.

3. Childhood obesity.

About half of U.S. kids and teens are at unhealthy weights. The only “cures” for childhood obesity are healthy eating and physical activity. No FDA-approved drugs exist to treat childhood obesity. And physicians rule out bariatric (weight-loss) surgery for kids and teens.

For 2006, expect to see a focus on:

• foods available at schools. Under scrutiny: vending machines, subsidized and school-provided lunches, and on-campus fast food counters.

• more self-policing by food manufacturers of kid-oriented advertising. For example, Kraft’s kid-orienting advertising is shifting towards its “better for you” products. And Kraft has limited the products it recommends for school vending machines.

What this means: Business opportunities in preventing and addressing excess weight in kids. Examples: specialized nutritional counseling, school lunch consulting opportunities, kid-oriented activity/fitness centers, and comprehensive weight loss programs specifically designed for kids and teens.

Top Fitness Trends In 2006

1. Small steps.

Research continues to show that lifestyle activity produces valuable health benefits. Expect pedometer, walk-a-day, and similar “get up and move” programs to grow.

More intense exercise may offer more health benefits. However, many people find lifestyle activity like raking leaves and walking the dog much more appealing than structured exercise.

Our take: the best exercise is the one consumers will actually do. Fitness-related businesses need to embrace this trend, not resist it.

What this means: Not-for-profit groups and seniors organizations have been the sponsors of most lifestyle activity programs. However, well-designed and marketed lifestyle fitness programs are excellent “entry level” options. They’re particularly attractive to unfit and overweight adults regardless of age. And they fit well with fitness centers, health clubs, and weight management and lifestyle change programs.

2. Fitness toys.

Many consumers love working out with “fitness toys” – stability balls, balance trainers, bands, card decks, water noodles, rebounders, video dance systems, etc.

Traditional gym equipment and cardio machines turn off many people. And they’re often too expensive or space-consuming for home use. Fitness toys are generally cheaper, easier to use and often portable.

Some of these devices are especially useful for individuals whose arthritis, poor balance, or excess weight make it difficult to get on/off equipment and adjust it.

What this means: Expect growing interest in the “fitness toy” segment from consumers in all age groups and at all fitness levels. Innovative and creative new products can perform very well, although startup companies will face distribution hurdles. Fitness centers, health clubs, and fitness professionals should also plan for these devices when allocating space and designing group and individual workouts.

3. Fitness, redefined.

Workout routines moved beyond classic resistance training and cardio workouts years ago. For example, core strength, balance and flexibility have been recent hot topics.

Next on the list:

• Velocity training – also called elasticity or power movement. Plenty of fit adults regardless of age have found themselves sidelined for months while recovering from a bad ankle sprain after they stumbled in the yard. Velocity training allows you to successfully respond to sudden changes in your external environment, like tripping on uneven pavement or stumbling on a curb.

• Cognitive training -- “brain aerobics” or “neurobics”. Research indicates that “use it or lose it” applies to brain function as well as other physical abilities. As our increasingly older population worries about staying sharp and reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s, this area will become a hot topic.

What this means: We expect lots of innovation here: creative new memory and cognition training programs and devices, specialty fitness classes, and clever new products like cobblestone mats. These products and services attract new customers. They also show customers that your business is at the leading edge.

4. Baby-boomer exercise habits.

A common misconception: fit, active people keep their exercise habits as they age.

Not necessarily true!

In their late 40s and beyond, even previously active and very fit baby boomers often move away from structured workouts. They may shift from intense cardio and traditional resistance training to integrated mind/body workouts, particularly yoga. And their cardio routine may shift towards lifestyle activities like walking.

Reasons for this shift range from physical discomfort to a preference for less structured workouts and more appreciation of the calming and centering effects of mind/body practice. Many are still caring for both children and parents, so lack of time is no doubt a factor as well.

What this means: Most wellness businesses want to sell to this demographic. That makes sense – there are lots of these folks, they’re tuned into the importance of wellness and they’re more likely to have money to spend on it.

However: Make sure you’re selling them what they want, not just what you have. Their interests and needs often evolve as they age. They may well have been avid health club members at 40, but want an entirely different experience at 50, 55, 60 and so on.