Slimming World updates member award eligibility to ensure all members feel welcomed, supported and included
Slimming World has announced that members who are taking prescribed weight loss medication will be eligible for the organisation's Slimmer of the Week and Slimmer of the Month awards, as well as its member competitions, from the end of August.
The change means members using GLP-1 weight loss medications, including treatments such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, will be recognised using the same criteria as every other member.
As weight loss medications become more widely used, Slimming World says increasing numbers of people are joining its groups to access behavioural support alongside their treatment and that every member should feel welcomed, supported and fully included.
Slimmer of the Week and Slimmer of the Month are member recognition awards based on weight loss over a set period, while member competitions are assessed on a wider range of criteria alongside weight loss. Slimming World supports members through its 12,000 community groups across the UK and Ireland and digital service. The change follows a review of Slimming World's member data and feedback from its Consultants and members.
Slimming World's Managing Director, Lisa Salmon, says: "When GLP-1 weight loss medications first became more widely available, there was limited understanding of how these medications might influence members' weight loss journeys. Over the past two years, we've built a clearer picture through our own data and our members' experiences.
"We now know that members who engage with Slimming World's programme and attend group regularly achieve excellent results, whether they're using weight loss medication or not. Reflecting this, we’re updating our awards and competitions to include members who’ve used or are using weight loss medication."
We now know that members who engage with Slimming World's programme and attend group regularly achieve excellent results, whether they're using weight loss medication or not.
While some weight management organisations have chosen to prescribe or provide weight loss medication, Slimming World has not, viewing this as a decision between an individual and their healthcare team. Instead, the organisation remains focused on providing evidence-based behavioural support that helps people make lasting changes to their eating habits, activity levels and mindset, supporting both long-term weight loss and weight loss maintenance.
Lisa Salmon says: "Experts are agreed that medication alone is not enough to help people make long-term changes, which is why we believe weight loss medication should be partnered with evidence-based support, delivered with empathy and compassion.
"Whether they're taking weight loss medication or not, people come to Slimming World for the same reasons. They want to learn healthier habits, gain confidence, feel part of a supportive community and build the skills needed to manage their weight for the long term. We're committed to doing exactly that for everyone who chooses Slimming World.
"Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE founded Slimming World on the belief that every person who walks through our doors should feel welcomed, supported and never judged. That's what I experienced myself when I joined as a member more than 20 years ago.
"This change reflects that commitment today. It ensures all members are treated fairly and consistently, and that everyone can be recognised and celebrated for their achievements as part of our supportive community."