Moxie

By Elaina Moradi – Moxie Intern

Women are criticizing a new Weight Watchers campaign that suggests those who are overweight naturally hate their bodies and are too self-conscious to enjoy a satisfying sex life.

With the recent launch of the campaign, reporters received a light-up globe along with a short message from Weight Watchers: “Let’s be honest for a minute, sex is pretty damn fantastic. But if you’ve ever felt self-conscious in the sack you’re not alone – we’ve heard that more than half of women have avoided sex because they were worried about how they look.

‘The globe is a ‘mood light’ designed to give you a little boost in the bedroom (a PG sex toy, if you will). We hope it helps you start seeing yourself in a new light – to love how you look and love how you feel.”

In response to the general outrage toward the campaign, Weight Watchers emphasized their new campaign was based off a research study which concluded a quarter of Australian women avoid sex because they feel self-conscious.

“These new statistics underline how body confidence can affect enjoyment of many facets of a woman’s lifestyle, including sexual satisfaction,” said Nikki Goldstein, a study collaborator in the campaign.

Instead of encouraging women to love their bodies, Weight Watchers gave into the common misconception that weight loss alone will improve body positivity. But gaining self-confidence comes from more than losing weight, and it certainly shouldn’t come from turning the lights off.

Weight Watchers has since discontinue the ad.