Losing weight shouldn't mean losing choice
Lifestyle-based weight-loss programmes must be part of the weight-management toolbox if we’re to tackle the obesity crisis
Recent reports that WeightWatchers is preparing to file for bankruptcy are not just sad for the employees and members directly impacted by the uncertainty the news has brought. It also reflects the shrinking landscape of weight-loss support available on the NHS in the UK right now.
Over the last 24 months, headlines about weight-loss injections have dominated the media. Support for millions of people appears to be limited to the use of these drugs, which are often portrayed as wonder jabs, but with little knowledge as to the long-term effects and success rates of those using them.
Lifestyle-based weight-loss programmes help people seeking to lose weight make changes to their diet, activity and mindset. They’re a vital tool in the box to ensure the many people living with overweight and obesity get the support needed for lasting results. Yet, the lack of an obesity strategy and the current focus on weight-loss drugs mean healthcare professionals are not able to offer these patients a full range of treatment options.
A comprehensive and effective obesity strategy that offers people a choice is needed.
Weight-loss drugs can and will have a positive impact for some people. But not everyone wants to take medication, and many who do want to lose weight don’t meet the NHS eligibility criteria. These drugs won’t work for everyone, and supply and cost issues mean they aren't readily available for those who may benefit from them.
From our own recent research undertaken by OnePoll, 69 per cent of adults surveyed would be unlikely to take weight loss drugs.1 Of those, 25 per cent say they don’t want to change the way they eat, drink and socialise; 21 per cent worried they wouldn’t be getting the nutrition they need for good health; and 20 per cent say they love their food too much.
At Slimming World, our healthy eating plan encourages members to eat tasty, real food that fits around their lifestyle, so they can enjoy meals together as a family or with friends. A separate survey of our own members found that 89 per cent love losing weight while getting all the nutrients they need, and 76 per cent feel proud that they’re passing on healthy habits to their families.
We know that overweight is a chronic, relapsing condition – and without support to embed the psychological and behavioural changes needed to overcome challenges and adjust their lifestyle, people will only experience short-term success. Sadly, there are no magic bullets when it comes to weight loss. Research shows that any weight lost from taking drugs is quickly regained – and, in some instances, even more – when people stop taking them, unless they have made changes to their diet, activity and mindset. This isn’t easy to do – if it were, the UK wouldn’t have a weight problem. Having access to and getting support from experts who understand is key.
That’s why we’re committed to offering our in-group and online support – consisting of an evidence-based healthy eating plan, an active lifestyle programme, and sophisticated behaviour change techniques – for anyone who’d like to lose weight, including those who have chosen to take weight-loss drugs.
The weight-loss landscape may be changing, but with more than 55 years of experience, Slimming World has stood firm in our tried, tested and trusted approach, and we feel it’s now more important than ever that we show anyone looking to lose weight that there is an alternative to taking drugs.
- Data relates to a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults surveyed between 21st to 24th March 2025 by One Poll.
