How Anti-Obesity Drugs Are Fundamentally Changing The Weight-Loss Industry

The traditional approach to losing weight has involved a push for increased self-restraint. And while diet and exercise remain two important pillars of shedding unwanted pounds, the cultural narrative is shifting.

The introduction of medications like Ozempic has only expedited this change — and Weight Watchers is getting on board.

What do these drugs do?

If you haven’t heard of Ozempic or closely related alternatives such as Wegovy, they were intended to treat diabetes but have since been proven effective at helping virtually anyone lose weight.

Their rapid rise in popularity has provided huge profits to pharmaceutical companies and new hope to those who have struggled to maintain a healthy weight. Although there is currently a shortage due to the spike in demand, many medical professionals think this class of medication could be a game-changer.

An industry leader takes notice

Weight Watchers has been undergoing a rebranding exercise of sorts for years, opting to use “WW” instead of its entire name in order to reduce the focus on losing weight and instead prioritize healthy living.

But Sima Sistani appears to be increasing the pace of that overhaul, as she explained in a recent interview.

“For years, we’ve said, ‘It’s choice, not chance,’” Sistani said. “That was wrong.”

Now, she said the brand wants to tell those who saw their weight struggles as “a moral failing” that “it wasn’t you.”

Embracing pharmaceuticals

Although studies are still underway regarding how long-term use of Ozempic and similar drugs could impact patients’ health, early indicators are quite promising. And WW is among the companies rushing to begin implementing them as part of a cohesive program.

Noom could also join the trend, as medical director Linda Anegawa explained.

"We have biology meeting psychology to treat obesity as a chronic medical condition," she said.

Chris Agee October 11th, 2023

Share this story: