What GLP-1 Super Bowl Ads Lack, According to Weight Watchers CEO

Yesterday, millions of Americans tuned in to watch the Super Bowl—and as tradition holds, millions more tuned in specifically for the commercials. Alongside the typical ads for beer, snack foods, and food delivery services, a new category took the spotlight: GLP-1 weight loss medications, promoted in several high-visibility campaigns that underscored just how mainstream these therapies have become.

In many ways, this marked a cultural milestone. GLP-1 medications represent one of the most substantial advances in weight management in generations, fundamentally changing what’s achievable for individuals living with overweight or obesity. They help regulate appetite and enhance metabolic health, supporting millions in reaching meaningful weight loss. As these treatments become more accessible and widely accepted, demand for GLP-1s will only continue to rise.

But what those ads fail to show—and what much of the broader discussion still overlooks—is what comes after. How do people maintain their results over time? And what does a healthy, sustainable lifestyle look like both while taking the medication and after stopping it?

Weight Watchers has embraced the remarkable potential of GLP-1s by building a nationwide team of clinicians who prescribe both oral and injectable treatments through our Med+ program. However, six decades of leadership in this field have taught us that lasting weight health doesn’t stem from a single intervention. It’s built over time—through daily decisions, consistent support, and the effort required to keep progress going long after initial motivation may wane.

These transformative medications have already become a key part of weight loss journeys for one in eight Americans, with millions more expected to start taking them in the months and years ahead. But as widespread use of GLP-1s becomes more common, the next chapter will shift from access to success—from “How do I get GLP-1s?” to “How do I live with them and maintain results over time?”

An Ecosystem of Care 

We know GLP-1s yield their most impactful results when they’re part of an integrated care model that combines medication with other healthy diet and exercise habits—not just a prescription-only experience.  

In fact, we’ve found the gap between medication-only approaches and medication paired with behavioral support to be notable.  

In our Med+ program, members prescribed GLP-1 medications lost an average of 21% of their body weight after 12 months—powerful real-world outcomes. But medication isn’t the full story. In fact, we observe that members who combine their medication with regular participation in our GLP-1 Success Program lose approximately 29% more weight over the same period than those who don’t engage. This is proof of the strong combined effect of medication plus comprehensive support and tools for achieving even better results.

Weight Watchers is effective—and the more members engage, the more effective it is.

GLP-1s have demonstrated a powerful ability to reduce cravings and improve blood sugar, reshaping how we fundamentally understand obesity. Weight gain is not a failure of willpower; it is driven by biology. And that doesn’t change when medication stops, because in the real world, many people don’t expect—or want—to stay on these medications forever. Research published in the found that while GLP-1s produce substantial initial weight loss, many people regain weight after discontinuing treatment. 

The key takeaway is clear: as powerful as these medications are, GLP-1s deliver their maximum impact when they’re part of something larger than a transactional, prescription-only moment of access. Medication alone can’t teach healthy habits. It can’t teach someone how to nourish their body, prioritize sleep, build strength, or manage stress—all essential elements of long-term weight health.

That’s why at Weight Watchers, we view GLP-1s as transformational tools—but not standalone solutions. Building on our 60-year foundation, we’ve created an integrated model that pairs medication with structured nutritional, behavioral, and lifestyle support. This way, our members don’t just successfully reach their weight goals—they’re also best positioned to keep them. 

A Promising Future with Integrated Support

This is not a critique of weight loss medications—far from it. 

GLP-1s are changing what’s possible in weight management at a time when nearly 75% of American adults live with overweight or obesity. But obesity is a complex, chronic condition—and lasting impact won’t come from better drugs alone. It will come from the systems we build to support people over time. 

The path ahead may be more complex than 30-second commercials suggest, but the future of weight management has never been more hopeful. When we combine medical innovation with compassion, community, and ongoing support, we move beyond short-term weight loss to lasting health—creating results people can live with not just for a season, but for many Super Bowls to come.