WeightWatchers has partnered with British weight-loss injection provider CheqUp in an effort to overcome its financial difficulties and remain competitive in the changing weight management market.
The company, now known as WW, has been struggling under a debt of \$1.6 billion (£1.2 billion) and recently filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States. Its decline is partly due to the growing popularity of new weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, which have disrupted the traditional dieting industry.
Under the new partnership, CheqUp customers will gain access to a tailored WW diet and lifestyle support app designed to complement the effects of the weight-loss injections, which are medically known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. The app offers guidance on managing side effects such as nausea and recommends foods that work well with the medications.
James Hunt, deputy CEO of CheqUp, described the collaboration as the first of its kind in the UK. He emphasized that combining WW’s science-backed programs with GLP-1 medication would help patients achieve sustainable weight loss. “This partnership offers the most attractive proposition in the market for those looking to benefit from the incredible potential of GLP-1 medications and behaviour change,” Hunt said.
Scott Honken, WW’s chief commercial officer, highlighted data from the US showing that members who combine obesity medications with WW’s nutritional and behavioral support lose 11% more weight on average than those using medication alone. He noted the rising demand for GLP-1 drugs in the UK and said the program would meet this growing need.
CheqUp supplies injections containing semaglutide—the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy—and tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro.
This partnership follows recent research from Oxford University which found that weight lost through GLP-1 drugs tends to return within ten months if patients do not maintain healthy lifestyle changes after stopping treatment.
Founded in 1963 by Jean Nidetch, WeightWatchers began as a small support group in her Queens kitchen. Over time, it grew into a global business offering low-calorie foods, diet advice, and exercise programs.
With the rise of new weight-loss medications, WW’s collaboration with CheqUp aims to combine modern medical treatments with established lifestyle support, offering a more comprehensive approach to weight management.
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