Latest news with #WWInternational
Associated Press
4 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
WeightWatchers Announces Second Quarter 2025 Results
Combined End of Period Subscribers1of 3.2 million; Combined End of Period Clinical Subscribers1of 127 thousand Combined Revenues1of $189 million, down 6% vs. prior year; Combined Clinical Revenues1of $31 million, up 55% vs. prior year Predecessor Net Income1of $1,191 million and Net Margin1of 673% were impacted by Reorganization items; Successor Net Income1of $1 million and Net Margin1of 10%; Predecessor Adjusted EBITDA1,2of $61 million and Adjusted Margin1,2of 34%; Successor Adjusted EBITDA1,2of $4 million and Adjusted Margin1,2of 37% NEW YORK, Aug. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WW International, Inc. (NASDAQ: WW) ('WeightWatchers,' 'WW,' or the 'Company') today announced its results for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 ended June 30, 2025 in this Earnings Press Release and a Shareholder Letter posted on the Company's Corporate Website. 'The need for effective and sustainable support in weight health has never been more important, and no company is better positioned to meet that need than WeightWatchers,' said Tara Comonte, CEO of WeightWatchers. 'This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Company, one that's grounded in stronger financial footing and a clear sense of opportunity. With greater flexibility to invest, we're accelerating innovation across our platform to meet the evolving needs of our members. There's work to do, and it will take time, but we're confident in the strength of our approach. Our integrated model, spanning clinical care, behavioral support, and community, puts us in a powerful position to reinforce our leadership in long-term weight health.' 'We completed our reorganization swiftly, positioning the Company to move forward with greater financial flexibility,' said Felicia DellaFortuna, CFO of WeightWatchers. 'While we continue to navigate some volatility, our immediate priority is stabilizing the business. With a strengthened capital structure, we are better positioned to invest in growth, support innovation, and scale efficiently, while maintaining the financial discipline needed to drive long-term profitability.' Second Quarter Overview Full Year Fiscal 2025 Guidance The Company is providing the following full year fiscal 2025 guidance: Second Quarter Conference Call and Webcast The Company has scheduled a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss results. The webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's corporate website, under Events and Presentations. A replay of the webcast will be available on this site for at least 90 days. 1Fresh Start Accounting and Predecessor and Successor Periods In connection with the Company's emergence from its financial reorganization process on June 24, 2025, the Company's second quarter ended June 30, 2025 includes a 'Predecessor' period from March 30, 2025 to June 24, 2025, and a 'Successor' period from June 25, 2025 to June 30, 2025. Additionally, the Company qualified for and applied fresh start accounting. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements after June 24, 2025 are not comparable with the consolidated financial statements as of or prior to that date. Although GAAP requires that the Company report its results for the period from March 30, 2025 through June 24, 2025 (Predecessor) and the period from June 25, 2025 through June 30, 2025 (Successor) separately, management views certain metric and revenue information for the three months ended June 30, 2025 by combining the results of the applicable Predecessor and Successor periods because management believes such presentation provides the most meaningful comparison of the Company's results to prior periods. Although the Predecessor and Successor periods generally are not comparable as they are impacted by fresh start accounting, there are no fresh start adjustments affecting revenues and therefore revenue information has been combined to provide a meaningful understanding of operating trends, which would be consistent with a pro forma calculation under Article 11 of Regulation S-X. Nevertheless, the combined operating results do not reflect the actual results we would have achieved absent the Company's emergence from its financial reorganization process and may not be indicative of future results. The Company cannot adequately benchmark the operating results of the period from June 25, 2025 through June 30, 2025 (Successor) against any of the previous periods reported in the Company's consolidated financial statements without combining it with the period from March 30, 2025 through June 24, 2025 (Predecessor) and do not believe that reviewing the results of this period in isolation would be useful in identifying trends in or reaching conclusions regarding the Company's overall operating performance. Management believes that the key performance metrics such as Subscription Revenues, Incoming and End of Period Subscribers and Monthly Subscription Revenues per Average Subscriber for the Successor period when combined with the Predecessor period provides more meaningful comparisons to other periods and are useful in identifying current business trends. Accordingly, this press release presents the combined results for these metrics for the three months ended June 30, 2025. Definitions 'Behavioral' business refers to providing subscriptions to the Company's digital product offerings with the option to add on unlimited access to the Company's workshops. 'Clinical' business refers to providing subscriptions to the Company's clinical product offerings provided by WeightWatchers Clinic combined with the Company's digital subscription product offerings and unlimited access to the Company's workshops. 'Revenues' - 'Subscription Revenues' consist of the aggregate of: (a) 'Behavioral Subscription Revenues', the fees associated with subscriptions for the Company's Behavioral offerings; and (b) 'Clinical Subscription Revenues', the fees associated with subscriptions for the Company's Clinical offerings. In addition, 'Other Revenues' (formerly known as 'product sales and other') consist of revenues from licensing, franchise fees with respect to commitment plans and royalties, publishing and other revenues. Prior to fiscal 2024, Other Revenues included sales of consumer products. 'Incoming Subscribers' - 'Subscribers' refer to Behavioral subscribers and Clinical subscribers who participate in recurring bill programs in Company-owned operations. The 'Incoming Subscribers' metric reports Subscribers in Company-owned operations at a given period start. Recruitment and retention are key drivers for this metric. Management utilizes this metric to monitor changes in the subscriber base which directly impacts the Company's revenue growth and trends. 'End of Period Subscribers' - 'End of Period Subscribers' metric reports Subscribers in Company-owned operations at a given period end. Recruitment and retention are key drivers for this metric. Management utilizes this metric to monitor changes in the subscriber base which directly impacts the Company's revenue growth and trends. 'Monthly Subscription Revenues Per Average Subscriber' - The 'Monthly Subscription Revenues Per Average Subscriber' metric reports the monthly fees associated with subscriptions for the Company's offerings divided by the Average Subscriber for its businesses. Monthly Subscription Revenues for both quarterly and year-to-date periods for each respective business are calculated as Subscription Revenues divided by the number of months in the respective quarterly or year-to-date period. The 'Average Subscriber' for quarterly periods for each respective business is the average of its Incoming Subscribers and End of Period Subscribers for the respective quarterly period. The 'Average Subscriber' for year-to-date periods for each respective business is the average of its Incoming Subscribers at the beginning of the fiscal year and its End of Period Subscribers for each quarter end within the respective year-to-date period. Management utilizes this metric to consider revenue growth and trends on a per subscriber basis. 2Statement regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures To supplement the Company's consolidated results presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ('GAAP'), the Company has disclosed non-GAAP financial measures of operating results that exclude or adjust certain items. Gross profit, gross margin, marketing expenses, selling, general & administrative expenses, and product development expenses are discussed both as reported (on a GAAP basis) and as adjusted (on a non-GAAP basis), as applicable, with respect to: The Company also presents in the attachments to this release the non-GAAP financial measures: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation ('EBITDA'); and EBITDA adjusted for franchise rights acquired impairments, reorganization items, net, transaction costs related to strategic alternatives and the Company's Chapter 11 financial reorganization, net restructuring charges, and other items as indicated in the reconciliations below that management believes are not indicative of ongoing operations ('Adjusted EBITDA'). As exchange rates are an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons, the Company believes in certain cases the presentation of results on a constant currency basis in addition to reported results helps improve investors' ability to understand the Company's operating results and evaluate the Company's performance in comparison to prior periods. Constant currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period-over-period. The Company uses results on a constant currency basis as one measure to evaluate the Company's performance. In this press release, the Company calculates constant currency by calculating current-year results using prior-year foreign currency exchange rates. The Company generally refers to such amounts calculated on a constant currency basis as excluding or adjusting for the impact of foreign currency or being on a constant currency basis. These results should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, results reported in accordance with GAAP and are not meant to be considered in isolation. Results on a constant currency basis, as the Company presents them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and are not measures of performance presented in accordance with GAAP. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information to investors regarding the performance of the Company's business and are useful for period-over-period comparisons of the performance of the Company's business. While the Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company's business, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as similarly titled measures reported by other companies. See 'Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures' attached to this release and reconciliations, if any, included elsewhere in this release for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. A reconciliation of the forward-looking full year EBITDA outlook to net income cannot be provided without unreasonable effort because of the inherent difficulty of accurately forecasting the occurrence and financial impact of the various adjusting items necessary for such reconciliation that have not yet occurred, are out of the Company's control, or cannot be reasonably predicted. For the same reasons, the Company is unable to assess the probable significance of the unavailable information, which could have a material impact on its future GAAP financial results. About WeightWatchers WeightWatchers is the global leader in science-backed weight management, offering an integrated support system that combines scientific expertise and human connection. With more than 60 years of experience, WeightWatchers is the most studied commercial weight management program in the world, delivered through its No. 1 U.S. doctor-recommended weight-loss program. Its holistic, personalized approach also includes U.S.-based clinical interventions, medications when clinically appropriate, and a global network of coaches and community support. Since 1963, the company has surrounded its members with the support they need to reach and sustain their goals, wherever they are on their journey. Members can access these solutions directly, or through WeightWatchers for Business' full-spectrum platform for employers, health plans, and payers. In a landscape crowded with contradictory advice, isolating apps, and one-size-fits-all solutions, WeightWatchers offers a proven path forward, grounded in empathy and designed to help every member feel better in their body and live a longer, healthier life. For more information, visit This news release and any attachments include 'forward-looking statements,' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, in particular, any statements about the Company's plans, strategies, objectives, initiatives, and prospects. The Company generally uses the words 'may,' 'will,' 'could,' 'expect,' 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'estimate,' 'plan,' 'intend,' 'aim' and similar expressions in this news release and any attachments to identify forward-looking statements. The Company bases these forward-looking statements on its current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, among other things: the Company's recent emergence from bankruptcy, which could adversely affect the Company's business and relationships and subjects us to risks and uncertainties; competition from other weight management and health and wellness industry participants or the development of more effective or more favorably perceived weight management methods; the Company's failure to continue to retain and grow its subscriber base; the Company's ability to be a leader in the rapidly evolving and increasingly competitive clinical weight management and weight loss market; the Company's ability to continue to develop new, innovative services and products and enhance its existing services and products or the failure of its services, products or brands to continue to appeal to the market, or the Company's ability to successfully expand into new channels of distribution or respond to consumer trends or sentiment; regulatory, reputational and other risks associated with the Company's former compounded GLP-1 offering; the Company's ability to successfully implement strategic initiatives; the Company's ability to evolve its community offerings to meet the evolving preferences of its members; the effectiveness and efficiency of its advertising and marketing programs, including the strength of its social media presence; the impact on the Company's reputation of actions taken by its franchisees, licensees, suppliers, affiliated provider entities, PCs' healthcare professionals, and other partners, including as a result of the Company's acquisition of Weekend Health, Inc., doing business as Sequence ('Sequence') (the 'Acquisition'); the recognition of asset impairment charges; the loss of key personnel, strategic partners or consultants or failure to effectively manage and motivate the Company's workforce; the Company's chief executive officer transition; the Company's ability to successfully make acquisitions or enter into collaborations or joint ventures, including its ability to successfully integrate, operate or realize the anticipated benefits of such businesses, including with respect to Sequence; uncertainties related to a downturn in general economic conditions or consumer confidence, including as a result of the existing inflationary environment, changes in tariffs and escalating trade tensions, rising interest rates, the potential impact of political and social unrest and increased volatility in the credit and capital markets; the seasonal nature of the Company's business; the Company's failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting; the impact of events that impede accessing resources or discourage or impede people from gathering with others; the early termination by us of leases; the inability to renew certain of the Company's licenses, or the inability to do so on terms that are favorable to us; the impact of the Company's substantial amount of debt, debt service obligations and debt covenants, and its exposure to variable rate indebtedness; the ability to generate sufficient cash to service the Company's debt and satisfy its other liquidity requirements; uncertainties regarding the satisfactory operation of the Company's technology or systems; the impact of data security breaches and other malicious acts or privacy concerns, including the costs of compliance with evolving privacy laws and regulations; the Company's ability to successfully integrate and use artificial intelligence in its business; the Company's ability to enforce its intellectual property rights both domestically and internationally, as well as the impact of its involvement in any claims related to intellectual property rights; the impact of existing and future laws and regulations, including federal and state regulations relating to compounded medications; risks related to the Company's exposure to extensive and complex healthcare laws and regulations as a result of the Acquisition; the outcomes of litigation or regulatory actions; risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's international operations, including regulatory, economic, political, social, intellectual property, and foreign currency risks, which risks may be exacerbated as a result of war and terrorism; risks related to the Acquisition, including risks that the Acquisition may not achieve its intended results; the possibility that we could fail to maintain the listing of the Company's common stock on Nasdaq; risks related to the actions of activist shareholders and anti-takeover provisions in the Company's articles of incorporation and bylaws; uncertainty and continuing risks associated with the Company's ability to achieve its goals; and other risks and uncertainties, including those included in this press release and those detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') (which are available on the SEC's EDGAR database at and via the Company's website at You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. You should understand that many important factors, including those discussed herein, could cause the Company's results to differ materially from those expressed or suggested in any forward-looking statement. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events or circumstances that occur after the date of this news release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or otherwise. Readers are advised to review the Company's filings with the SEC (which are available on the SEC's EDGAR database at and via the Company's website at For more information, contact: Investors: John Mills or Anna Kate Heller [email protected] Media: Mari Santana [email protected]
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WeightWatchers Returns With a Plan for the New GLP-1 World
WeightWatchers is no longer content to stew about its seemingly slender prospects in the Wegovy era. After the GLP-1 onslaught plunged the company into Chapter 11 submission in May, the dieting brand emerged from bankruptcy last week to announce it had successfully trimmed the fat from its considerable debt load, built a strategy for success moving forward, and plans to relist on the Nasdaq. READ ALSO: Bitcoin Tops $120,000 With Congress Poised to Consider Key Crypto Bills and Inflation Data and Bank Earnings Kick Off a Crucial Test for Markets It's worth remembering that the company, which rebranded as WW International in 2019, was already in trouble before a little weekly injectable came along that promised the same results as being a WeightWatchers client without the arduous processes of carefully scheduled workout classes and calorie-counted meals. The pandemic had already crushed its in-person business, and business never recovered. In 2018, the company reported annual revenue of $1.5 billion; by 2021, that had fallen to $1.2 billion, and by 2024, a measly $800 million. By May, company lawyers proclaimed in a bankruptcy hearing that an 'evolution in consumer preferences and the rapid rise of GLP-1s' made it unable to service its $1.6 billion debt load. Now? WeightWatchers wants to turn GLP-1s from poison pill to bottom line miracle drug, among other plans to rev up new revenue: The company has struck a deal with Novo Nordisk to sell weight loss drug Wegovy directly to clients on its online platform at $299 per month. WeightWatchers set the stage for such a movie in 2023 when it acquired telehealth company Sequence for $132 million. The company also plans to push into menopause treatment plans, which it says is designed to address a broader gap in healthcare. 'It is a very natural overlap. In the perimenopausal and menopausal phase, up to 70% of women experience weight gain,' newly hired Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kim Boyd told Reuters last week. The Ringer: The company will also have help from someone who knows the GLP-1 industry with great intimacy. As it emerges from bankruptcy, WeightWatchers has appointed a new board of directors — among them former Eli Lilly president Mike Mason, who helped pioneer the GLP-1 industry. 'As medical treatments like GLP-1s become more widely used, the need for trusted, comprehensive care models that combine medication with lasting lifestyle change has never been greater,' Mason said in a statement. This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive delivering razor sharp analysis and perspective on all things finance, economics, and markets, subscribe to our free The Daily Upside newsletter. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WeightWatchers Has Exited Bankruptcy. How Should You Play WW Stock Here?
Many health and wellness stocks have faced challenges in recent years as GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy upend the traditional diet market. Companies that once dominated the space have struggled to keep up with this new wave of solutions. Among them, WW International (WW), formerly known as WeightWatchers, hit a rough patch earlier this year, resulting in WW filing for bankruptcy protections. But now, the company has made a comeback, completing its financial restructuring and relisting its stock on the Nasdaq Exchange. Creating a 38% 'Dividend' on SOFI Stock Using Options Joby Aviation Just Hit a New 52-Week High. Should You Buy the Flying Car Stock Here? Nvidia Stock Regains Momentum. Is It Time to Buy, Sell, or Hold NVDA? Our exclusive Barchart Brief newsletter is your FREE midday guide to what's moving stocks, sectors, and investor sentiment - delivered right when you need the info most. Subscribe today! As part of this return, WeightWatchers is repositioning itself entirely. The company is pivoting toward women's health, launching a new menopause-focused program while also deepening ties with GLP-1 drug developers like Novo Nordisk (NVO). For investors wondering whether this turnaround could be more than a short-term pop, now may be the right time to take a closer look at WW's evolving story. Based in New York, WW International is a global wellness company offering digital health and fitness solutions, personalized nutrition guidance, subscription-based weight management services, and coaching. WW leverages its proprietary app, community support, and innovative programs to empower members worldwide to adopt healthier lifestyles and sustainable habits. WW's exit from Chapter 11 which slashed $1.15 billion in debt and saw it relist on the Nasdaq Exchange at $27. Shares are up more than 16% over the past five days. WW's core growth driver is a new women's health program targeting perimenopause and menopause, set to roll out later this year. The initiative will combine tailored nutrition plans, behavioral coaching, hormone replacement therapy, and dedicated community groups for women aged 40–60. With up to 70% of women experiencing weight gain during menopause, WW sees a data‑backed need for this service. Rather than abandoning GLP‑1 therapies, the company will integrate these medications, such as Wegovy, into its model, pairing drug support with coaching to mitigate side effects and enhance results. A recent partnership with Novo Nordisk's NovoCare pharmacy ensures members receive FDA‑approved prescriptions within WW's supervised framework. CMO Dr. Kim Boyd says this blended approach of medication, lifestyle change, and community 'fills a critical gap in women's healthcare.' While the company is still working through its restructuring, some signs of stabilization are starting to appear. Revenue for the first quarter came in at $186.6 million, which was down nearly 10% from the same period last year. Most of that decline came from its traditional 'Behavioral' business that includes digital memberships and in-person workshops. The total subscriber count dropped to about 3.4 million, a 14% year-over-year decrease. However, not all segments were weak. The 'Clinical' business, its telehealth offering, actually grew, with paying members in that category rising 55% to 135,000. That jump helped clinical revenue grow about 57% over the past year. On the profit side, the company showed improvement. WW posted a net loss of $72.6 million, which is still sizable, but far better than the $347.9 million loss in the year-ago quarter. Management has been cutting costs aggressively, and it's starting to show. Investors should note that Q1 results were released on May 6, the same day the company filed for bankruptcy protections. Wall Street analysts have rated the stock a 'Hold.' Their average 12-month price target of $0.94 is significantly lower than its current share price, but investors should note that analysts likely have not caught up to shares following the bankruptcy exit. This means WW could quickly see refreshed targets. It is good news that WW has emerged from bankruptcy, but a sustained turnaround will take time to play out. Investors will want to see steady membership and growth in its new health services before calling it a success. On the date of publication, Nauman Khan did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Scottish Sun
08-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Huge brand saved from going bust as it turns business around to sell weight loss jabs
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WEIGHTWATCHERS has emerged from bankruptcy after slimming down its debts and pledges to combine weight-loss jabs with lifestyle changes. The company, now called WW International, filed for bankruptcy in the US in May in order to remove 1.15 billion US dollars (£840million) worth of debt from its balance sheet. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 WeightWatchers has emerged from bankruptcy after it restructured its debt Credit: Getty - Contributor At the time, WeightWatchers said it was planning to emerge from bankruptcy in roughly 45 days. The company continued to operate as normal and there was no impact to members, workshops or their plans. The court process allowed it to restructure its finances and write off the debts, which made up more than 70% of the total amount. It also agreed new terms to pay back its lenders. WeightWatchers originally gained popularity due to its points system, which encouraged participants to make healthier food choices and manage their portion sizes. It grew to include an exercise regime, points system for food portions, weight-loss programmes and fitness coaching. But it has struggled in recent years due to financial challenges and declining membership. Meanwhile, competition for weight loss products has grown fiercely as demand for quick-fix weight-loss injections under brand names including Mounjaro and Wegovy has increased. The chain also lost its most prominent spokeswoman, Oprah Winfrey, last year after the talkshow host announced that she was taking weight-loss medication. WeightWatchers' chief executive Tara Comonte has said the company needed to transform amid a 'rapidly evolving weight managing landscape'. It is also appointing a new board of directors. On Tuesday the group said it has hired physician Dr Kim Boyd as its new chief medical officer to help bring science into its products. Dr Boyd said she plans to combine the best of modern medicine, including weight loss jabs, with science-backed lifestyle changes and the WeightWatchers community to help deliver better results. Tara Comonte said it is a "pivotal moment for the group'. She added: 'In a landscape dominated by noise, quick fixes, and conflicting advice, WeightWatchers continues to lead as the most trusted, science-backed platform, proven to drive better results and lasting impact'. The company is also launching a new programme later this year to support women through perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause. It will include personal nutrition and behavioural strategies. The move will help WeightWatchers address a broader gap in healthcare and meet the evolving needs of its members, it said. Supermarkets have also reported declining sales due to the rise in fat jabs. Are you eligible for weight loss jabs on the NHS? By Sam Blanchard, Health Correspondent THEY are arguably the biggest medical breakthrough of recent times. And now, so-called 'fat jabs' are available to many more Brits on the NHS. In what marks the dawn of a new era, GPs have begun prescribing the weight loss jab Mounjaro in the first anti-obesity rollout of its kind. More than three million people are thought to be eligible for tirzepatide - the active drug in Mounjaro - the strongest jab on the market. Health chiefs hope it will turn the tide on England's obesity crisis which has seen rates double since the 1990s. Injections including Ozempic and Wegovy have previously only been available for type 2 diabetes or through specialist slimming clinics. Family doctors will now be encouraged to prescribe them in a bid to get more people on the meds. Experts hope widespread use will slash work sick days and boost the economy, while reducing rates of cancer, heart disease and dementia. But demand for the drugs is already huge and NHS clinics cannot dish them out fast enough. Who is eligible in the new rollout? The new rollout allows GPs to prescribe tirzepatide for weight loss, starting with those patients whose weight places them at greatest health risk. Top of the list will be those with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher (or 37.5 if from a minority ethnic background) and four weight-related health conditions. A BMI of 40 is roughly equal to weighing 16st (102kg) for an average height 5'3' woman, or 19st 6lbs (123kg) for an average 5'9' man. Weight-related conditions include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnoea and heart disease. Patients will likely be expected to have tried diet and exercise first before being offered a jab. Many are likely to miss out, as some 13.5million adults in England are obese but only 3.4million are estimated to be eligible in the rollout. Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: 'Currently only patients who meet certain criteria - those who could benefit most - are eligible to be prescribed weight loss drugs on the NHS, and GPs will also need to follow local guidelines when prescribing. 'If your practice advises you that they won't be able to provide weight loss medication, these will likely be the reasons why. 'We appreciate the idea of weight loss medication is an attractive prospect to many patients - and they do have a lot of potential benefits for patients and may be a valuable tool as we try to tackle obesity at a national level – but it's important these medications aren't seen as a silver bullet. 'Weight loss drugs do not come without risk, they can cause side effects which range in seriousness, and they won't be suitable for everyone. 'It's important we don't lose sight of the role lifestyle factors play in achieving a healthy weight. 'The roll out of weight loss medications as a treatment for obesity must not come at the expense of other weight loss services.' If you are eligible but your GP denies you a prescription, you may be able to ask for a referral to specialist weight management services. Known as tier 2 and tier 3 weight management services, they may prescribe the jabs after other weight loss attempts. Many people are expected to find it easier to go private, with the injections widely available from high street pharmacies like Boots, Superdrug, and even Asda. There are also numerous online pharmacies offering the drugs. Buying the drugs online might seem like the faster fix – but buyer beware. Slimming success stories are everywhere but so, too, are tales of horror. Many patients have been duped by dodgy sellers, suffered severe side effects or even died after taking jabs they bought online. Bargain prices, easy tick-box applications, or prescriptions with no follow-up, should all be red flags to online shoppers. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
The Sun
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Huge brand saved from going bust as it turns business around to sell weight loss jabs
WEIGHTWATCHERS has emerged from bankruptcy after slimming down its debts and pledges to combine weight-loss jabs with lifestyle changes. The company, now called WW International, filed for bankruptcy in the US in May in order to remove 1.15 billion US dollars (£840million) worth of debt from its balance sheet. 1 At the time, WeightWatchers said it was planning to emerge from bankruptcy in roughly 45 days. The company continued to operate as normal and there was no impact to members, workshops or their plans. The court process allowed it to restructure its finances and write off the debts, which made up more than 70% of the total amount. It also agreed new terms to pay back its lenders. WeightWatchers originally gained popularity due to its points system, which encouraged participants to make healthier food choices and manage their portion sizes. It grew to include an exercise regime, points system for food portions, weight-loss programs and fitness coaching. But it has struggled in recent years due to financial challenges and declining membership. Meanwhile, competition for weight loss products has grown fiercely as demand for quick-fix weight-loss injections under brand names including Mounjaro and Wegovy has increased. The chain also lost its most prominent spokeswoman, Oprah Winfrey, last year after the talkshow host announced that she was taking weight-loss medication. WeightWatchers' chief executive Tara Comonte has said the company needed to transform amid a 'rapidly evolving weight managing landscape'. It is also appointing a new board of directors. On Tuesday the group said it has hired physician Dr Kim Boyd as its new chief medical officer to help bring science into its products. Dr Boyd said she plans to combine the best of modern medicine, including weight loss jabs, with science-backed lifestyle changes and the WeightWatchers community to help deliver better results. Tara Comonte said it is a "pivotal moment for the group'. She added: 'In a landscape dominated by noise, quick fixes, and conflicting advice, WeightWatchers continues to lead as the most trusted, science-backed platform, proven to drive better results and lasting impact.' The company is also launching a new programme later this year to support women through perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause. It will include personal nutrition and behavioural strategies. The move will help WeightWatchers address a broader gap in healthcare and meet the evolving needs of its members, it said. .
