WW International

Company history

Jean Nidetch, a housewife and mother in Queens, New York City, had struggled with overweight most of her life. In 1961, at age 38 and weighing 214 pounds, she joined a free 10-week weight-loss program from the New York City Board of Health's obesity clinic, called the "Prudent Diet," developed by Dr. Norman Jolliffe. The plan prohibited alcohol, sweets, and fatty foods, and included specific allowances. Nidetch lost 20 pounds but disliked the clinic's discouragement of discussion and feared bingeing on Mallomar cookies.

She started a weekly support group in her apartment with six overweight friends; within two months it grew to 40 women. The group used the Prudent Diet and offered empathy, mutual understanding, and a weekly weigh-in with prizes. Nidetch reached her target weight of 142 pounds in October 1962 and maintained it. As interest spread, she coached groups elsewhere, including at the home of Al and Felice Lippert.

After the Lipperts lost weight, Al Lippert, a garment industry businessman, persuaded Nidetch to turn the endeavor into a business. In 1963, Nidetch and the Lipperts launched Weight Watchers Inc. in Queens, with Nidetch as president. They rented public venues and charged $2 per weekly meeting; the first official meeting in May 1963 drew 400 attendees.

Business model

WW operates a subscription-based program of support, along with purchasable products, media, services, and technologies. Its brand identity centers on community, and its website is key to its effectiveness. In the 21st century, the company has marketed itself more as a health and wellness brand, with dietary plans emphasizing fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and low trans fats. It has sought to balance digital and offline offerings.

As of 2019, support came via app and website, in-person workshops, and personal coaching. Primary income is from subscriptions to the program, which includes the myWW+ weight-management program and the SmartPoints food plan. Additional revenue comes from Weight Watchers–branded services and products, such as magazines, cookbooks, food and restaurant guides, bars and snacks, and licensing the trademark to prepared foods and beverages. The original 1960s dietary plan was based on the Prudent Diet, with lean meat, fish, skim milk, fruits and vegetables, and bans on alcohol, sweets, and fatty foods.

It recommended weighing portions and prohibited skipping meals or counting calories. The company has regularly updated its plans. In 1979, it introduced PepStep, a walking or stair-climbing exercise program, becoming one of the first weight-loss companies to promote regular exercise.

Reception

As of July 2018, Weight Watchers was the most widely used commercial diet globally, with operations in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil. Its main long-term competitors are Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem. It has been included in U.S. News & World Report's rankings for 40 most popular diets and listed as No.1 for weight loss and best commercial diets. For meeting attendees, groups provide empathy, rapport, and positive reinforcement.

Some therapists have criticized the focus on counting calories or points as potentially leading to a disordered relationship with food. Previously, the company's prepared foods faced criticism for preservatives and additives; as of late 2018, Weight Watchers removed all artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, and preservatives from its branded products and dropped or reformulated most of its own food products. In August 2019, WW released Kurbo by WW, a weight management app for children and teenagers, which drew criticism from nutrition and eating disorder experts for encouraging dieting in children as young as 8.

However, a study in Childhood Obesity suggested it could be part of improving youth health, and an uncontrolled three-month study found it "highly effective" based on an average zBMI reduction of 0.26. A survey in JMIR mHealth and uHealth noted Kurbo was the only app on its list involving health care professionals in development.

Leadership and spokespersons

Founder Jean Nidetch served as President from 1963 to 1973. Al Lippert was CEO from 1963 to 1981. From 1978 to 1999, Weight Watchers was a Heinz subsidiary. Charles M. Berger was CEO from 1982 to 1994.

Subsequent CEOs include Linda Huett (2000–2006), David Kirchhoff (2007–2013), Jim Chambers (2013–2016), and Mindy Grossman (2017–2022). Raymond Debbane has been chairman since 1999. Oprah Winfrey purchased a 10 percent stake in 2015 and served on the board until February 2024, when she left and donated her shares to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Spokespersons have included Lynn Redgrave, Sarah, Duchess of York, Jennifer Hudson, Charles Barkley, Jessica Simpson, Oprah Winfrey, DJ Khaled, Kate Hudson, Kevin Smith, and James Corden, among others.