When WeightWatchers was originally conceived, it was envisioned as a weight loss company that would incorporate support groups and intensive diet plans into one coherent program. At the forefront of the company was something called the “Prudent Diet,” developed by Dr. Norman Jolliffe in the 1950s. The diet required eating fish five times a week, liver once a week, two slices of bread and two glasses of skim milk a day, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Alcohol, sweets and fatty foods were prohibited. Weighing all portions of food before eating was also encouraged.
Although this diet proved effective, it failed to provide believers with any spiritual support. That’s where WeightWatchers succeeded: giving people trying to lose weight the tools, encouragement, and strength they need to achieve their personal goals.
In 2018, WeightWatchers abandoned its weight loss motto and rebranded to “WW” with a new mission centered around promoting overall health and wellness. However, weight loss appears to still be the company’s main focus as it targets more vulnerable populations. That year, WW came under fire for mocking a free weight loss program aimed at teens from the age of 13 to her 17. That idea was put on hold, but WW has announced her new mobile weight loss app for kids ages 8 and up. Kurbo by WW Shortly thereafter.
“The name is Weight Watchers, not Health Enhancer,” writes nutritionist Rebecca Scritchfield. washington post at that time. “The moment your focus shifts to weight, the potential for damage to your mind and body begins.”
Unfortunately, WW has not been able to recover much in recent years. The company is now moving into the weight-loss drug business, much to the dismay of many who supported the company’s once-respected principles.
Specifically, WW embraces blockbuster weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic. As explained in Axios, this initiative explains how obesity came to be considered a drug-treatable chronic disease that could account for tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars in sales within a decade. Investors are predictably elated. However, the same cannot be said for customers. Many customers feel this way. Was fooled.
“Weight Watchers has pushed us into a corner,” said one 15-year member. bloomberg.
Others echoed similar sentiments, arguing that WW has abandoned its message of restraint and behavior change for the quick fix of weight loss drugs.
“They don’t practice what they preach…and now all of a sudden drugs are involved,” another WW member said at the April meeting. insider.
Earlier this year, WW International Inc. closed thousands of in-person meeting locations and acquired telemedicine startup Sequence for $132 million. Sequence connects patients with doctors who can prescribe his GLP-1 drugs, such as Wegovy and Ozempic. This drug is a diabetes drug that gained popularity online and among celebrities as an anti-obesity drug.
According to insiders, the deal drew heated opposition from WW’s current members, but Goldman Sachs analysts argued that “a move into weight-loss drugs could save the 60-year-old company from financial collapse.” “We can do it,” he predicted. Analysts estimate that the company could generate $455 million in new revenue through 500,000 additional subscribers by 2025.
In addition, WW hopes to persuade Medicare to cover weight-loss drugs, Axios reported. If that were to happen in the future, Medicare coverage of anti-obesity medications (AOMs) would “increase overall federal spending.” Parliamentary Recorders said. During October.
“Currently, these drugs are in the same category as hair loss drugs as part of Medicare Part D,” WW CEO Sima Sistani said at a briefing. HLTH Annual Conference in Las Vegas. “That’s what I’m talking about. I’m trying to move the conversation away from vanity and the concerns within it to talk about actual health.”
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However, many medical professionals are concerned about AOM, especially after a new report claims that the drug can put patients at risk for three rare but serious gastric diseases. Masu. According to one researcher, the drug also puts patients at higher risk of inflammatory diseases such as gastroparesis, pancreatitis, and some types of intestinal obstruction. The research was published in the scientific journal JAMA.
In July, Axios said, “Experts say there is not yet enough data on how these drugs work in specific populations over the long term, which could ultimately impact the market for these drugs.” “We are warning that there is a sexual nature.” Experts also warned that the drug could cause excessive muscle loss in patients over 65. new york times.
Ozempic in particular remains a topic of concern in the health field since its emergence as a kind of cultural phenomenon. Unlike most of his AOMs, Ozempic has become popular among people who are not obese but are looking to lose a few pounds. This raises the following concerns: drug abuse Increased use of over-the-counter laxatives known as “Budget Ozempic”
That said, WW is determined to provide access to anti-obesity drugs. Perhaps only time will tell whether this move actually saves the company or ruins it forever.
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About the Ozempic craze:
