One factor that Saruman Enterprises considered in deciding whether to market a line of weight-loss supplements was the increasing rate of obesity in the United States. This trend is considered a(n) factor.

This trend is considered a(n) sociocultural factor.

Explanation:

In the field of business studies, sociocultural factors can be described as certain lifestyles or habits that characterize a particular society. The sociocultural environment of a particular area is used in business and marketing to make products which will attract the customers of a particular area. For example, with the increase in obesity of a particular place or city, people of that city will be more attracted to weight loss products.