Weight Watchers took a beating on social media after announcing on Tuesday that the company would give free memberships to teens during the summer.
The company hoped to recruit younger members who would remain loyal customers for years by offering teens ranging in age from 13 to 17 a free six week membership during for the summer of 2018, according to CNNMoney.
While representatives for Weight Watchers said the goal is to help young people develop good habits at a critical age, most reactions on social media came from individuals who felt the company did not have the health of young people in mind.
The hashtag #WakeUpWeightWatchers began trending over the weekend as health and body positive advocates shared their concerns.
Teens, the problem is not your body or the way you eat. The problem is society & the way it views bigger bodies. There is no wrong way to have a body. You are perfect just as you are, don’t let profit driven diet companies tell you otherwise @WeightWatchers #WakeUpWeightWatchers
— Becca (@BeccaFIynn) February 10, 2018
As someone who nearly lost her battle with anorexia, I recognize a lot of my most dangerous food & dieting habits in the weight watchers program. #WakeUpWeightWatchers
— not part of your little book club (@Lisarachnid) February 10, 2018
to be a woman in your 70s and have more than half your life dictated by points, calories and extremely disordered eating only to realize you haven’t actually lived is a tragedy and it’s real because I’ve seen it. #WakeUpWeightWatchers @WeightWatchers
— Kelly Hogan Laubinger, MS, RD (@KellyHoganRD) February 10, 2018
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) also expressed concerns about Weight Watchers actively targeting teens noting the link between dieting and eating disorders.
“Our voices are being heard. They have reached out to us. Stay tuned for updates,” read the most recent Twitter post from NEDA.