The news that WeightWatchers will be prescribing popular Weight Loss medications like Ozempic stinks. I wish they would admit counting points doesn’t work for everyone and apologize to those who spent their time, money, and self-worth trying to reach their goals via their program.
So many people who have been on WeightWatchers return to the program after leaving. They can’t sustain their results because counting points is unsustainable.
So now, WeightWatchers has decided to cash in on the mindset of a quick fix.
This is another example of WeightWatchers riding the newest trend to sell weight loss. In 2018, they tried unsuccessfully to adapt to a body-positive trend by rebranding to WW International. They replaced the word “diet” with “building healthy habits” and configured their messaging to highlight wellness goals instead of weight loss.
Of course, WeightWatchers is already fending off criticism for their new acquisition.
“We have no interest in prescribing medications to those who are trying to lose 10 pounds for a reunion,” WW’s chief scientific officer, Gary Foster, told the Wall Street Journal.
WeightWatchers stresses they added this tool to their arsenal to support customers who already use semaglutides like Ozempic and Wegovy and to help get these drugs into the hands of the patient population they were intended for: people managing diabetes and those looking to lose weight as part of a doctor-recommended health plan.
Weight Watchers bought Sequence, a telehealth operator that can prescribe medications under brand names, including Ozempic and Wegovy.
Ozempic is a once-weekly injection used to treat Type 2 diabetes. It’s not approved for weight loss, but people taking it tend to lose weight. Wegovy is a higher-dose version of Ozempic specifically approved for weight loss.
If interested, you will pay separately for your WeightWatchers membership and Sequence subscription. And Sequence memberships aren’t covered by insurance (but they will work with your insurance company to pay for medications). Additionally, WeightWatchers will offer new eating and exercise advice tailored for people taking these drugs.
Sadly, celebrities, tech moguls, and TikTok influencers, who do not have diabetes, have used the drug to lose weight in short time frames. People like Andy Cohen, Elon Musk, and the Kardashians and their followers’ usage has led to people with diabetes not being able to get their prescriptions. The side effects of Ozempic and similar weight loss drugs include gastrointestinal issues, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. It may also cause thyroid tumors, thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, kidney failure, gallbladder problems, vision changes, hypoglycemia, and allergic reactions.
Many people post about their experience with drugs, like Ozempic, on social media. They’ve admitted that their appetite and cravings went through the roof after they stopped using it. It’s been tough for them to maintain their results.
The diet industry is a 50 billion per year industry. With more money than ever going into solutions for weight loss … you’d think we’d be moving in the right direction.
But we’re not. According to the CDC, approximately 42% of Americans are classified as having obesity.