The science behind WeightWatchers® approach to mindset

Published May 30, 2018

Building healthy habits is about being in the right frame of mind. It’s not just about eating less and moving more. WeightWatchers’ Points™ Program provides tools for members to use anytime, anywhere to shift to a more helpful mindset.

The Points Program's mindset techniques, grounded in positive psychology and cognitive behavioral therapy, are designed to help members embrace challenges, view setbacks as learning opportunities and build self-awareness, self-compassion, gratitude and more.

How does WeightWatchers approach mindset topics?

Just as there are skills and strategies around food and activity, WeightWatchers ensures all mindset-related interventions are equally actionable through the following criteria.

  • Proven efficacy. Every topic, be it happiness or self-esteem, that WeightWatchers discusses with members has to have scientific data that demonstrates that this attribute impacts a person’s quality of life, relationships, physical or psychological well-being.
  • Have a clear link to the wellness journey. WeightWatchers ensures that science can clearly link each mindset topic to an increase in healthy behaviors and outcomes that will benefit members’ wellness journeys.
  • Be able to be developed.  Scientific research must demonstrate that there are practical, actionable techniques that people can use to build healthy habits related to the topic.
  • Lead to immediate benefits. Mindset techniques should make members feel good while doing them, or shortly after. They also need to fit into members’ lives to ensure that this important foundation to building healthy habits does not feel onerous or time consuming.
  • Resonate with members. WeightWatchers continuously surveys members to ensure that the topic is meaningful to them. If it’s not, WeightWatchers tests new ways to discuss the topic in order to encourage shifts in thinking and behavior change.

What kinds of mindset topics are discussed?

WeightWatchers discusses a variety of mindset topics throughout each year and is continuously exploring new topics that are relevant to members. These topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Thinking styles
  • Happiness
  • Gratitude
  • Self-compassion
  • Body positivity
  • Mindfulness
  • Self-esteem
  • Character strengths
  • Social support
  • Emotional eating
  • Dealing with setbacks
  • Stress
  • Time management
  • Goal setting
  • Responding to stigma
  • Mindful eating
  • Problem solving
  • Sleep
  • Assertion training

Return to Science Center>>