The art of losing weight gains $13.3m every year
Actually, I can find no evidence that it was Mexico!
In fact, I believe the US is the home of the wave.
A professional cheerleader (yes, there is such an occupation in the States), by the delightful name of “Krazy” George Henderson claims to have organised a crowd at an Oakland A’s baseball game against the New York Yankees.
Many other American crowds then took up the wave.
It seems it became known as a Mexican Wave when it was first seen globally at the Mexico World Cup in 1986. What was the first slimming club and how did it come about? – B.
Weight Watchers was founded in 1963 by Jean Nidetch in New York. She had attended health clinics in an attempt to lose weight and decided they were boring.
What went on to become the world’s biggest slimming club had humble beginnings.
Jean set up a meeting with friends in her flat in Queens, New York.
The UK’s first meeting was held in 1967, near Windsor.
Now, more than 6000 meetings a week are held across Britain.
Studies have found joining Weight Watchers can be five times as effective as solo dieting.
Slimming clubs can be so useful that the NHS approves of them and recommends them to obese patients.
Part of their secret is the motivation groups give each other – but famous names also help.
The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, is a fan. She once said Weight Watchers saved her life.
Oprah Winfrey is a current face of the brand.
Losing pounds is a great way to make money. Weight Watchers recently announced profits of $13.3 million. It’s not all plain sailing, though. In 2010, the floor of a Weight Watchers clinic in Sweden collapsed beneath a group of 20 members gathered there for a meeting and weigh-in.
If that wouldn’t spur you on to lose weight, then nothing would!