Press Release Source: Weight Watchers International, Inc.

Weight Watchers Praises Medicare Declaration About Obesity
Monday July 26, 11:17 am ET  
Believes only methods that are scientifically-proven to help people achieve
long-term weight loss should be considered effective

WOODBURY, N.Y., July 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- "Health and Human
Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson's recent announcement that obesity
treatments can be covered by Medicare is a significant step forward in the
effort to battle America's obesity crisis," said Linda Huett, president and
CEO of Weight Watchers International, Inc.
As an organization that has spent more than 40 years helping people reach
and maintain a healthy weight, Weight Watchers fully understands that
access to effective treatment is critical for anyone dealing with obesity,
she said.

This change of policy is warranted according to Weight Watchers. Dozens of
scientific studies have linked obesity to a series of conditions including
several forms of cancer, stroke, type 2 diabetes and heart disease; the
cost of obesity on America's medical system has been staggering and weight
loss is typically difficult to achieve; more than one-third of America's 41
million people covered by Medicare are overweight and 18 percent are
considered obese; treatment often occurs only after serious medical
complications have already taken hold.

"Although Secretary Thompson's declaration is a well-needed move in the
right direction, the tough decisions lie ahead in determining precisely
which weight-loss options will qualify for coverage. We believe that any
evaluation needs to be based on the following parameters," said Ms. Huett:

   *  Weight loss measurement is based on long-term, rather than short
term,  weight loss;
   *  Treatments that have been proven through long-term studies (at least
two years) to be safe, effective and sustainable;
   *  The need for lifestyle changes be recognized as a critical element
in  weight loss:
   *  Obesity be defined by accepted BMI measurement;
   *  Exercise be a part of any suggested weight loss plan;
   *  A "benefit to cost" ratio be established so that effectiveness of
programs helps determine their coverage;
   *  Methodologies that assist people who are overweight in avoiding
becoming obese be given full consideration as a deterrent to the costs
incurred when obesity impacts a person's health;
   *  The weight loss program should promote healthy nutrition and not
compromise long-term nutritional habits or increase risk factors for
disease.

"We thank Secretary Thompson for his attention to this issue, and call for
a timely review of the scientific evidence that will determine the coverage
parameters for people on Medicare," said Ms. Huett.