Exciting results from a recent clinical trial* show how WeightWatchers makes managing food choices, weight, and blood sugar levels easier for people living with diabetes.
The statistics are startling. One in ten Americans is living with type 2 diabetes. And more than 1 million new cases are diagnosed each year.1 Behind the staggering numbers, diabetes causes serious health consequences, lifestyle limitations, and increased healthcare costs.
With 90 percent of those living with diabetes also living with overweight or obesity,2 weight management plays a central role in the effective management of type 2 diabetes – and reducing the progression of diabetes complications. In recognition of the measurable impact weight management can have, WeightWatchers is excited about the recently announced results of a clinical trial that evaluated our newest diabetes-tailored program.3
For the clinical trial, we customized our PersonalPoints system to make managing food choices, weight, and blood sugar levels easier for people living with diabetes. We also tailored our expert coaching, community support, and digital resources. After six months, the participants achieved impressive changes in weight, blood sugar control, and diabetes distress. And notably, participants also saw a 13 percent improvement in overall well-being.
Learn more about the research results
At WW, we believe there’s an unmet need for community-based and science-based approaches that help people with diabetes effectively manage their weight. Today, people have limited options in specialty clinics to help them manage weight loss and diabetes. This lack of access drives increased complications, distress, and healthcare costs.
So, as part of our longstanding commitment to helping members better manage their diabetes, WW is scaling science to make effective programs accessible and affordable for more people living with both diabetes and overweight/obesity.
The recent clinical trial is an important step in ensuring our program’s efficacy. In fact, scientific research and testing is always a critical step for WW. In a category that’s full of promises, we believe it’s vital to ensure our employer partners and members can be confident that what WW asks them to do works not just philosophically, but practically. That’s why all WW programs are tested by a third-party university, as was our diabetes program, so they are validated and proven by researchers before we share them with our members.
We’re encouraged by the results of the clinical trial because it shows that a program tailored for diabetes has impressive results related to weight loss, blood sugar control, diabetes distress and overall well-being that are scalable, affordable, and accessible. It’s just one more reason you can confidently partner with WW Health Solutions to help your organization – and your employees – achieve your wellness goals.
Gary Foster, Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Officer
Dr. Gary Foster, Ph.D., is a psychologist, obesity investigator and behavior change expert and has been WeightWatchers Chief Scientific Officer since July 2013. He was previously the Founder and Director of the Center of Obesity Research and Education and Laura Carnell Professor of Medicine, Public Health and Psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia. Dr. Foster has authored more than 180 scientific publications and three books on the etiology and treatment of obesity.
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