WeightWatchers is working with weight loss pill providers like Wegovy and Mounjaro to collaborate on a brand’s earthquake shift focused on dieting to try and turn a struggling business around.
Since its creation in the 1960s, WeightWatchers, which has promoted a non-medical, point-based approach to food intake, has announced a strategic partnership between Chequp, a provider of GLP-1 weight loss drugs, and Chequp, a provider of clinical support and health coaching.
The partnership comes just weeks after weight watchers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States. This is because the popularity of anti-obesity injections is trying to cut debt after beating the model.
All CHEQUP members have access to the Weight Watchers app. It is designed specifically for weight loss people and with guidance from experts on food recommendations, it minimizes side effects of medications such as nausea, while supporting healthy weight loss.
The companies said the partnership will support “patients seeking sustainable weight loss through GLP-1 drug therapy and behavioral support,” and said “complementary products” will allow patients to achieve better results than medication alone.
WeightWatchers, known for its trademark point-based program, was rebranded as WW in 2018, but has millions of followers worldwide who have purchased branded cookbooks and ready meals, used food tracking apps and attended local meetings with weekly weighing measurements.
However, demand for its services has been declining in recent years, and those hoping to lose weight are increasingly changing to injections such as Wegovy, which contains the drug semaglutide, and Mounjaro, which contains the tilzepatide. The trials have shown that the drug can help people lose significant amounts of weight, and many are seeking a private prescription.
US-listed WeightWatchers, who once boasted The Show as one of the top shareholders by TV Talkshow host Oprah Winfrey, has seen that this year’s stock has lost 82% of its value.
Winfrey, who has been the official face of a diet company since 2015, announced that he left WW in February last year and handed out all his shares.
Obesity experts are calling on the NHS to accelerate the use of weight loss jabs to tackle the obesity crisis associated with many long-term conditions, including cancer, heart disease, dementia and diabetes, putting a big stake in health services.
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But weight watchers may be banking on other recent surveys that show that people taking weight loss pills will regain all their weight they have lost within a year of stopping their medication if they don’t make any changes to their lifestyle.
“The data are clear. We can see that in the US, obesity medication members who also participate in nutrition and behavioral lifestyle programs lose an average of 11% more weight than those who use medication alone.
“WeightWatchers recognizes the growing demand for GLP-1 drugs in the UK.
“We are pleased to announce that we are committed to providing a range of services and services to our customers,” said James Hunt, Associate Chief Executive Officer of Chequp.