1851

Would you let your child download a dieting app before they&rsquo;ve even lost all their baby teeth? In an effort to combat childhood and adolescent obesity, Weight Watchers recently acquired an app designed by Stanford University&rsquo;s pediatric program that is geared toward kids ages 8 to 17. The app itself, Kurbo, is free, but users can interface with a digital coach for a fee starting at $69 per month.&nbsp;

WW&rsquo;s Chief Scientific Officer Gary Foster <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/17/weight-watchers-new-childrens-app-kurbo-faces-backlash.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=weight-watchers-faces-backlash-for-new-app-targeted-towards-children-2710761" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">told CNBC</a>, &ldquo;This is a scientifically proven way to get kids to eat healthier and move more, so we&rsquo;re excited to get it into as many hands as possible,&rdquo; but not everyone shares his enthusiasm. Kurbo has faced backlash from nutritionists who are concerned about the psychological impact that food restriction could have on children during such a formative period.&nbsp;

Weight loss and nutrition are already sensitive subjects, and Kurbo&rsquo;s specific focus on children makes it conceptually much more dubious. While the app&rsquo;s intentions may be good-natured, some of the features are notably cringe-worthy, including a goal option to &ldquo;make parents happy.&rdquo; Kurbo also claims that the solutions it offers are &ldquo;science-based&rdquo; while coaches are not necessarily pediatricians, psychiatrists or nutritionists but rather people with backgrounds in management, economics and communications.&nbsp;

While other <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/305842?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=weight-watchers-faces-backlash-for-new-app-targeted-towards-children-2710761" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">boutique fitness</a> or <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/category/hlth?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=weight-watchers-faces-backlash-for-new-app-targeted-towards-children-2710761" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">weight-loss and healthcare</a> franchise concepts are on the rise, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-03/weight-watchers-not-out-of-the-woods-says-street-despite-beat?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=weight-watchers-faces-backlash-for-new-app-targeted-towards-children-2710761" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">WW seems to have suffered</a> in spite of a recent rebrand. The launch of this latest app could be a pivot towards new growth, but it currently looks like a misstep that could sour the brand&rsquo;s reputation. Read the full story <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/17/weight-watchers-new-childrens-app-kurbo-faces-backlash.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=weight-watchers-faces-backlash-for-new-app-targeted-towards-children-2710761" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">here.</a>&nbsp;

<div>&nbsp;</div>

Weight Watchers Faces Backlash for New App Targeted Towards Children

1851 Franchise

The brand, which now calls itself WW, launched new app Kurbo designed for kids as young as age eight. 

weight-watchers-faces-backlash-for-new-app-targeted-towards-children

ServiceMaster Restore

ServiceMaster Restore Powers Into the Second Half of 2025 With Growth and Purpose-Driven Impact

ServiceMaster Restore Powers Into the Second Half of 2025 With Strong Growth and Purpose-Driven Impact

servicemaster-restore-powers-into-the-second-half-of-2025-with-strong-growth-and-purpose-driven-impact

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers - Midyear Press Release 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Comfort Keepers® Hits Mid-Year Stride With Strong Franchise Growth and Rising Demand for In-Home Care

comfort-keepers-franchise-midyear-momentum-2025

petbar

petbar - Garrett Dewan - Why I'm Investing - 1851 Franchise

Why Garrett Dewan Is Choosing To Reinvest in petbar

petbar-franchise-austin-garrett-dewan-multi-unit

Paris Baguette

NJBIZ: Paris Baguette Ramps Up Expansion With New Franchises, Facility and 2030 Growth Target

njbiz-paris-baguette-ramps-up-expansion-with-new-franchises-facility-and-2030-growth-target

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-2025

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

Weight Watchers Faces Backlash for New App Targeted Towards Children

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS