Weight Watchers' founder Jean Nidetch died on Wednesday at age 91 in her Florida home.
She used the model of group dynamics to solve personal weight problems related to weight, according to People. During the first half of her life she struggled with being overweight.
In her 1979 book, "The Story of Weight Watchers," Nidetch shared that her sister and she were "emotional eaters."
Interestingly, Nidetch launched the business to solve her own obesity problem. In time, her for-profit business provided joint advice and support for other people who also wanted to shed weight.
Nidetch was an obese housewife in 1961 who collected a group of friends with the same condition. Their regular informal meetings later became programs for weight-loss.
Weight Watchers gradually started to help their members "watch" their weights. The company became a publically traded company in 1968 and was bought by H.J. Heinz.
Weight Watchers became more successful in weight-loss than diets and pills had been. The company encouraged its members to start healthy habits.
Since its launch, Weight Waters has helped several million dieters meet their weight-loss goals. They became more aware of their diets and their appearance.
Weight Watchers checks on the calorie intakes and weight changes of its members. Their weights are recorded weekly and food "points" are awarded based on them, according to Uncover California. The "weight shedders" receive a ribbon and a star for every five pounds lost.
In a statement Weight Watchers said farewell to Jean Nidetch who made her personal challenge into an exciting and "inspirational" place. This gave people who were tired of using weight-loss methods that didn't work a "new hope."