According to NielsenHealth, U.S. households with at least one obese member spend 9% more than the average American household on over-the-counter medications, 10% more on health and beauty care products, and almost 17% more on total medications and remedies. 

Obesity sufferers tend to live in low-income households, with incomes of less than $20,000/year, and are more likely to be middle-aged (45 to 64 years old).  These households tend to be located in less affluent towns and rural areas (39%). 

On average, households with obese members are more willing to buy generic or private label brands.  They also purchase 20% more low calorie carbonated soft drinks than the average U.S. household, and are more willing to buy prescription drugs from outside the U.S. in order to save money.

As marketers turn their attention to this once-overlooked demographic, Americans are also turning an eye inward to examine the causes of the country’s obesity epidemic.

According to a 2008 Nielsen survey cited in the November issue of Nielsen’s “Consumer Insight” online newsletter, 81% of U.S. consumers “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that weight gain can be attributed to eating too much and not exercising enough. 

What’s more, 68% of consumers “disagreed” or “disagreed strongly” with the statement that they cannot find healthy food in their grocery store.

Consumers also told Nielsen they hold food companies and their advertising partially responsible for America’s obesity epidemic.  Almost three-quarters of consumers believe that advertising by food companies encourages people to eat less-healthy food, and that these companies should provide healthier food.  In comparison, consumers did not identify the fast-food industry as a major player in the obesity blame game.

Learn more about U.S. consumers’ perceptions of obesity.

Read more about marketers’ efforts to reach obese consumers in the November issue of Nielsen’s “Consumer Insight” online newsletter.

Read coverage of Nielsen’s findings in Adweek.

Consumers in the Asia-Pacific region, for example, are more inclined to save than to splurge if they have spare money, while Russian consumers pump their extra cash into expanding their wardrobe, according to Nielsen.

Meanwhile, people in Nordic countries continue to spend money on travel and vacations, while Brazilians are happy to stay home.

Discretionary income has also become increasingly scarce in countries throughout Europe and North America, according to Nielsen.  One-fifth of those surveyed by Nielsen in Britain, Germany, and France — and a quarter of Americans — have eliminated spending money for pleasure, The Economist noted.

Still, some small luxuries have remained immune to the economic gloom: 80% of Americans are continuing to shell out $10-$12 per ticket to catch movies on the big screen, Nielsen found.