WeightWatchers Is Criticised For Launching Weight Loss App For Kids – Pretty 52

WeightWatchers Is Criticised For Launching Weight Loss App For Kids – Pretty 52

weightwatchers-is-criticised-for-launching-weight-loss-app-for-kids-–-pretty-52

Weight Watchers Is Criticised For Launching Weight Loss App For Kids

Ciara Sheppard in 

Life

Last updated in an hour

A new weight loss app designed for children has been accused of promoting unhealthy eating habits and eating disorders in kids as young as eight.

Kurbo, which launched on Tuesday (13th August), is owned by WW (formerly Weight Watchers) and is billed as an aide to “help kids and teens reach a healthier weight and build healthy habits.”

The launch was announced on Twitter alongside a promo video in which 12-year-old Julianna speaks about improving her running mile time at school, and her mother Zsuzsanna relishes in no longer having to be “the food police.”

“It’s about being more healthy, and active and feeling good about yourself,” the preteen tells prospective users.

The app – which costs $69 (£57) per month and is currently only available in the US – provides children with their own coach, who they have a 15 minute video chat with per week, and they are encouraged to follow a Stanford University-backed ‘traffic light’ system to manage intake of unhealthy foods.

Credit: Kurbo
Credit: Kurbo

Naturally the company, which rebranded as WW last year, is receiving flack for the “tone-deaf” app which is being described as “a tool that can trigger eating disorders in children.”

The “Success stories” section on Kurbo’s website is particularly hard to swallow; Robby, aged 10, who lost 42 pounds (3 stone) and Juliana, 15, who lost 40 pounds (2 stone 12 lbs) are just two of the app’s triumphant users.

“Fear of food. Fixation on ‘healthy eating’. Fixation on exercise. These are all symptoms of extremely dangerous eating disorders. And that’s what this kind of program will encourage in kids,” wrote one enraged Twitter user.

Credit: Kurbo
Credit: Kurbo

“This is disgusting and horrifying,” said another.

“You’re excited to introduce a tool that can trigger eating disorders in children?? okay,” penned another.

Another said the news of the app had left her emotional, writing: “I’m crying in my kitchen. how could you do this? i struggled enough in childhood & adulthood with eating & weight without being exposed to these apps. i cry for the children of today.”

PRETTY 52 has reached out to WeightWatchers for comment.

While society is trying to stamp out unrealistic body image issues and eating disorders in children, this feels like a step in the complete opposite direction.

*Shakes head eternally.*

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock

Topics: Life, Life News, u

Ciara Sheppard

Ciara is a freelance journalist working for Pretty 52. After graduating from the University of Sussex, Ciara worked as a writer at GLAMOUR Magazine and later as the Assistant Editor of Yahoo Style UK.

Follow @ciarasheppard

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