Top 10 Best Performing Weight-Loss Stocks

Photo: Steven Puetzer | Photodisc | Getty  ImagesChart: Adam Gault | OJO Images | Getty Images Nearly two-thirds of American adults are either overweight or obese, and childhood obesity is triple what it was a generation ago. It all adds up to a public health crisis, but for companies that manufacture or sell products, services, diets and foods designed to help people lose weight, it's a $60 billion industry that fattens their stock price. Here are some of the companies associated with the weight-loss industry whose stocks have performed well over the last five years, and are likely to continue.Click ahead for the top 10 best performing weight-loss stocks.By Constance PartenUpdated 18 June, 2010

Photo, Photo Insert Credit: Courtesy Images Stock Symbol: WNIClose on 6/17: 7.42One-Year Change: 49.60%YTD Change: -5.12%Five-Year Change: 76.25%Schiff Nutrition, based in Salt Lake City, manufactures and sells private label vitamins, nutritional supplements and sports nutrition products. WNI reported Q3 2010 earnings of 20 cents per share, beating the 14 cent consensus.Source: CNBC research

Stock Symbol: NUTRClose on 6/17: 14.70One-Year Change: 53.28%YTD Change: 18.84%Five-Year Change: 11.70%Nutraceutical, based in Park City, Utah, manufactures nutritional supplements and other natural products, including Nature's Life, NaturalMax, Supplement Training Systems. The group also prublishes, prints and markets a line of natural health and lifestyle books. For Q2 2010, NUTR reported earnings of 49 cents per share, beating the 44 cent consensus.Source: CNBC research, corporate filings

Image Source: Courtesy NutriSystem.com Stock Symbol: NTRIClose 6/17: 23.30One-Year Change: 71.32%YTD Change: -25.25%Five-Year Change: 73.75%NutriSystem, based in Horsham, Penn., provides comprehensive weight management programs, including pre-packaged food, support and diet, nutrition, exercise and well being information. The company reported first quarter earnings of 16 cents per share, beating the 12 cent per share consensus.Source: CNBC research

Photo Credit: Courtesy Image Stock Symbol: HLFClose 6/17: 48.08One-Year Change: 73.26%YTD Change: 18.51%Five-Year Change: 145.81%Herbalife, based in the Cayman Islands, sells weight management, nutritional supplements and personal care products. The group also sells literature and promotional materials. HLF reported Q1 2010 earnings of 98 cents per share, beating the 81 cent per share consensus.Source: CNBC research

Photo Credit: Courtesy Image Stock Symbol: VVUSClose 6/17: 10.60One-Year Change: 85.96%YTD Change: 15.22%Five-Year Change: 240.84%Vivus, based in Mountain View, Calif., is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing therapeutic products, including Qnexa for the treatment of obesity, diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea.On May 3, 2010, Vivus reported Q1 earnings of -23 cents per share, beating the -26 cents per share consensus.Source: CNBC research

Photo Credit: Courtesy Image Stock Symbol: LTMClose 6/17: 36.91One-Year Change: 90.06%YTD Change: 48.05%Five-Year Change: 18.87%Life Time Fitness, based in Chanhassen Place, Minn., operates sports, athletic, fitness, family recreation and resort and spa centers. LTM reported Q1 2010 earnings of 44 cents per share, beating the 41 cent consensus.Source: CNBC research

Photo Credit: Courtesy Image Stock Symbol: NATRClose 6/17: 11.20One-Year Change: 126.26%YTD Change: 31.15%Five-Year Change: -34.81%Nature's Sunshine, based in Provo, Utah, manufactures and markets herbal products, vitamin and mineral supplements and personal care products. The company reported earnings of 26 cents per share in March, 2010.Source: CNBC research

Photo Credit: Courtesy Image Stock Symbol: FINLClose 6/17: 16.45One-Year Change: 135.00%YTD Change: 31.08%Five-Year Change: -15.47%Finish Line, based in Indianapolis, distributes branded athletic, outdoor and lifestyle footwear, activewear and accessories. The company reported Q4 earnings of 61 cents per share in March, beating the 48 cent per share consensus.Source: CNBC research

Photo Credit: Courtesy Image Stock Symbol: LULUClose 6/17: 44.26One-Year Change: 236.83%YTD Change: 47.04%Five-Year Change: N/Alululemon, based in Vancouver, BC, Canada, designs and manufactures athletic apparel in the United States, Canada and Australia.  In March, lululemon reported Q4 earnings of 40 cents per share, beating the 29 cent per share consensus.Source: CNBC research

Photo Credit: Courtesy Image Stock Symbol: MEDClose 6/17: 29.49One-Year Change: 262.73%YTD Change: -3.56%Five-Year Change: 873.27%Medifast, based in Owings Mills, Md., produces and distributes weight management and disease management products and other health and diet products.On May 5, 2010, Medifast reported Q1 earnings of 33 cents per share, beating the 27 cents per share consensus.Source: CNBC research

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