Oprah Winfrey and WeightWatchers come together to host a conversation about diet culture on May 9. The virtual event, Turning the Corner: A New Way to Think About Weightwill explore “the profound impact of diet culture on our society” and discuss ways to “reframe harmful narratives about our weight and bodies,” according to a press release.
But already people are skeptical. This is due in part to Winfrey’s role in two previous conversations: one about Oprah Daily Platform and the other, a prime-time ABC special – focused specifically on weight loss and the role of modern weight-loss drugs, which she revealed in December 2023 as being used herself. It’s also thanks to WeightWatchers’ involvement, as the brand that has long touted the role of behavioral changes in weight loss has since acquired a telehealth company to prescribe weight-loss medications and manage patients through its latest GLP program -1. Winfrey was a longtime board member of WeightWatchers, before announced in February that they would cut ties. This month marks its official release.
WeightWatchers CEO Sima Sistani spoke about her intentions for the event in a video on Instagram. “We want to create a safe space for discussion, no matter what part of the story we’ve been in,” likely referring to conversations on the topic. the brand’s contributions to toxic diet culture. “It’s an opportunity for both of us [WeightWatchers] members and critics, scientists and thought leaders, all together to have this conversation because it is in this conversation that we can move forward together. Actors Rebel Wilson and Amber Riley, as well as body acceptance advocate Katie Sturino, will also participate.
So what is the controversy about this event before it even happens? And what do experts in weight, health and diet culture think? Here, Yahoo Life breaks it down.
What the critics say
While some applaud WeightWatchers and Winfrey for having these conversations about diet culture, critics say there is a conflict of interest and even some hypocrisy in them hosting these events. This echoes reactions to Winfrey’s previous ABC special. Shame, Blame, and the Weight Loss Revolutionwhich some said sounded like an infomercial about weight-loss drugs, Winfrey said she wanted to be impartial.
The comments section of a Instagram video posted by Just a hatteran author and podcast host, invited to participate in the livestreamed event on May 9, expressed these concerns.
“I was thinking how hard it is to understand that Oprah is only now talking about diet culture, acceptance, etc. AFTER losing weight using drugs like Ozempic,” one commenter wrote. (Winfrey did not specify what medications she takes.) [a] privilege that most people do not have access to and completely negates the importance of body neutrality.
Another, who identified himself as a doctor who treats people…
