Florida Launches Free WeightWatchers Program for Residents in Select Counties
Tampa, FL – The Florida Department of Health is offering a complimentary one-year subscription too the WeightWatchers program for eligible residents in Leon, Hillsborough, and Palm Beach Counties. This initiative aims to combat chronic diseases associated with obesity and promote overall well-being by fostering long-lasting healthy habits.
Dr. Douglas Holt, director of the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County, emphasized that the program is designed for extensive wellness, extending beyond mere weight loss. “it will have effects such as reducing the risks of chronic diseases, but also improve the overall health of the individual,” Dr. Holt stated. He further elaborated that the program aims to prevent illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and certain cancers, while together empowering individuals to cultivate enduring healthy lifestyle choices.
WeightWatchers is a well-established weight-loss and wellness program that provides a structured framework and supportive resources to assist individuals in improving their health and managing their weight. The program assigns points to various foods based on their nutritional content, enabling participants to effectively monitor their caloric intake.
The WeightWatchers offering includes customized food plans, access to workshops, consultations with registered dietitians and coaches, and, for those who qualify, prescriptions for weight-loss medications. Residents participating in this pilot program will gain access to basic WeightWatchers components,including the dietary plan,self-monitoring tools,round-the-clock coaching,a collection of recipes,activity trackers,and personalized food plans.Eligibility for the free WeightWatchers subscription is extended to Florida residents aged 18 and older residing in Leon, Hillsborough, and Palm Beach Counties who have a Body Mass index (BMI) of 25 or greater. The comprehensive membership encompasses all program elements,such as individualized plans,community support,coaching,user-kind tracking tools,and continuous 24/7 assistance.The complimentary membership is valid for one year. Participants who wish to continue their WeightWatchers journey beyond the initial year will need to opt for paid continuation.Individuals who are already enrolled in a paid WeightWatchers membership can transfer their existing account to be covered under this Florida Department of Health plan by contacting 866-204-2885.For more information about this program, interested individuals can visit Health and WeightWatchers.
