| 
           Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $) 
        In Thousands  | 
        3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 
           Jun. 30, 2011 
         | 
        
           Jun. 30, 2010 
         | 
        
           Jun. 30, 2011 
         | 
        
           Jun. 30, 2010 
         | 
      |
| Net sales by product line | ||||
| Net sales | $ 879,654 | $ 688,806 | $ 1,674,750 | $ 1,307,439 | 
| 
           Weight Management [Member] 
         | 
        ||||
| Net sales by product line | ||||
| Net sales | 552,300 | 430,500 | 1,050,900 | 817,700 | 
| 
           Targeted Nutrition [Member] 
         | 
        ||||
| Net sales by product line | ||||
| Net sales | 197,300 | 159,800 | 377,500 | 298,400 | 
| 
           Energy, Sports and Fitness [Member] 
         | 
        ||||
| Net sales by product line | ||||
| Net sales | 43,400 | 30,100 | 78,900 | 55,900 | 
| 
           Outer Nutrition [Member] 
         | 
        ||||
| Net sales by product line | ||||
| Net sales | 37,000 | 31,000 | 73,600 | 62,000 | 
| 
           Literature, Promotional and other [Member] 
         | 
        ||||
| Net sales by product line | ||||
| Net sales | $ 49,700 | $ 37,400 | $ 93,900 | $ 73,400 |