Oprah Winfrey has decided to step down from the board of WeightWatchers after nearly a decade of service. This move comes in the wake of Oprah's recent disclosure of using a weight-loss drug as part of her weight management journey. Over the years, Oprah has been a vocal advocate for WeightWatchers, promoting its benefits for weight loss, health improvements, diabetes management, nutrition education, and healthy lifestyle habits.
WeightWatchers offers various programs and tools to support individuals in their weight management goals. These include the Points Program, Diabetes Program, an intuitive app, and the GLP-1 Program. The GLP-1 Program specifically caters to individuals using weight-loss medications like Wegovy and Zepbound. Wegovy and Zepbound are semaglutide injections designed to aid adults with obesity or excess weight in losing weight and maintaining it, in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
In a recent interview with People magazine, Oprah revealed that she had started using a weight-loss medication to supplement her efforts, acknowledging that self-control alone was not sufficient for her weight-loss journey. This revelation sparked discussions and some criticism within the community.
Despite the speculation surrounding Oprah's departure and her use of weight-loss drugs, WeightWatchers clarified that her decision was not influenced by any disagreements with the company. Oprah, who has been a board member since 2015, will be donating her stake in WeightWatchers to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
While Oprah will no longer serve on the board, she expressed her commitment to continuing to collaborate with WeightWatchers and CEO Sima Sistani on initiatives to address obesity as a chronic condition, reduce stigma, and advocate for health equity. The board of directors expressed gratitude for Oprah's contributions and stated that they would miss her presence.
Looking ahead, Oprah's departure raises questions about the role of celebrities in endorsing weight-loss programs and medications. It remains to be seen how this development will impact the public perception of sponsored weight-loss initiatives and who individuals may turn to for genuine guidance on their weight-management journeys.
