Why WeightWatchers’ demise signals a new era for obesity treatment

The recent bankruptcy filing of WeightWatchers marks more than just the downfall of a household name: rather, a shift in how obesity and weight loss is viewed today.

We have moved past outdated attitudes that lifestyle choices alone, such as calorie counting, will solve the nation’s obesity crisis. Today, obesity is, quite appropriately, viewed as a complex medical condition that requires holistic and, in some cases, pharmacological treatment.

Over the last 25 years, weight management thinking has shifted so dramatically that today’s landscape would be scarcely recognisable to someone from the late 1990s.

The era of rigid meal plans and trying to ‘earn’ every bite through exercise has steadily given way to more balanced, whole-person strategies. Yet many unhelpful beliefs about body size and dieting persist – echoes of years of persuasive messaging that shaped our collective attitudes towards health and food.

Obesity is a chronic disease that drains almost £100 billion from the UK every year. It should be confronted with that level of urgency. Recognising its multifaceted roots – genetic, environmental and psychological – is essential for developing better treatments and, just as importantly, for shifting societal attitudes.

A landmark UK cohort study that followed almost two million adults found that a 40-year-old living with obesity can expect to lose, on average, four years of life. NHS modelling is even starker, suggesting that severe obesity can shorten life expectancy by up to a decade.

The reason is simple but devastating: excess body fat drives a spectrum of diseases – cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and at least 13 forms of cancer. With obesity now the nation’s second-largest preventable cause of cancer after smoking, these numbers point to nothing less than a public health emergency.

While regular exercise and balanced meals remain pillars of good health, biology can, at times, demand more. The newest generation of anti-obesity medicines have, in clinical trials, achieved high levels of weight loss.

These weekly injections amplify gut-derived satiety hormones, especially GLP-1, which transmit an ‘I’m full’ message from the intestine to the brain’s hunger hub (the hypothalamus), slow gastric emptying and leave patients comfortably satisfied on smaller portions. Because GLP-1 also boosts insulin release and reins in the liver’s sugar output, the drugs tackle two problems at once: excess weight and the glucose dysregulation that underpins type 2 diabetes.

This dual action could not be timelier. Nearly six million Britons already live with type 2 diabetes, a further 1.3 million are thought to be undiagnosed, and nine in ten new cases occur in people carrying excess weight. Yet the national waistline continues to expand. Government figures show the share of adults who are overweight or obese crept from 64% to 64.5% in 2023–24, with prevalence more than 10% higher in men than women.

As traditional, largely female-focused schemes such as Weight Watchers scale back, digital clinics are stepping in. By delivering personalised coaching and prescription treatments online – minus the travel, fixed meeting times and occasional embarrassment of weigh-ins – platforms promise to make effective obesity care as accessible to men as it has long been to women.

It’s vital that a safe and efficient regulatory landscape is at the heart of the rollout of these medications.

The responsibility should lie with providers to offer a holistic, wraparound care approach to tackling obesity alongside the supply of safe medication for those eligible. A collaborative approach between the NHS and private providers will be essential to ensure equitable access for all who need it.

The bankruptcy of Weight Watchers marks more than the end of a dieting era: it’s a clear signal that healthcare is moving online, and fast. Traditional calorie-counting programmes are being replaced by smart, personalised, AI-powered solutions that are at patients’ constant disposal.

Platforms like Numan offer integrated, digital-first care that combines medication, coaching and behavioural support that is personalised and accessible 24/7. It’s this shift from outdated weekly group weigh-ins to tech-driven, evidence-based solutions that renders the old WW model outdated.

The future of weight management is no longer measured by points or willpower: it’s AI and digitalised accessible solutions. Healthcare has moved on. Society has instant and constant access to social media and apps, and the healthcare industry must keep up.

As we witness the decline of traditional weight loss programmes like WW, we should recognise this moment as an opportunity to embrace more effective, science-based approaches to obesity management.

The integration of digital health technologies and personalised medicine offers unprecedented potential to address one of our most significant public health challenges.

For patients, the new era of weight management offers hope that obesity can be treated effectively without the shame, restrictive dieting and unsustainable exercise regimens that have characterised weight management for too long.

The demise of WW doesn’t signal the end of weight management: it signposts the beginning of a more effective, compassionate and scientifically grounded approach to addressing obesity. One where obesity can be treated without shame, rather it can be treated as a disease.

1. How they work – Most modern weight loss drugs mimic hormones like GLP-1, which help regulate appetite and blood sugar
2. Types available – Popular options include Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide), both of which are administered via weekly injections
3. Effectiveness – Clinical trials show that Mounjaro can lead to around 20% weight loss, while Wegovy results in about 14%
4. Dual benefits – These drugs not only aid weight loss but also help manage type 2 diabetes by improving insulin regulation
5. Side effects – Common side effects include nausea, constipation and, in some cases, irritation at the injection site
6. Long-term use – Weight loss drugs are typically prescribed for a limited period, often up to two years, alongside lifestyle changes
7. Regulatory approval – In the UK, Wegovy is available on the NHS for patients with a BMI of at least 35 and a weight-related health condition
8. Weight regain – Many users regain weight after stopping treatment, highlighting the importance of sustained lifestyle changes
9. Impact on drinking habits – Some studies suggest that GLP-1-based drugs may also help reduce alcohol consumption
10. Future developments – Research is ongoing into new formulations, including oral versions and higher-dose treatments.

Dr Bryony Henderson is GP & Medical Director at Numan