Original from: PR Newswire

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) and WW International, Inc. (NASDAQ: WW), known as WeightWatchers, announced today the availability of a connected app to help people living with diabetes understand how food and activity impact their glucose levels. WeightWatchers members who follow the WW Diabetes-Tailored Plan can now access their glucose data from Abbott's FreeStyle Libre® 2, a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, within their WW app6 while being guided by the WW Diabetes-Tailored Plan.

Type 2 diabetes is on the rise, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 37 million Americans have diabetes and approximately 90 percent of those people have Type 2 diabetes. Some of the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include lifestyle decisions that pertain to food, activity, and weight. If managed successfully, healthy lifestyle choices can decrease the chances of diabetes-related complications or comorbidities.

Maintaining a healthy weight is key to glucose control, which is especially important for people living with Type 2 diabetes who want to improve their overall well-being and prevent the progression of the condition.

"Clinical data shows that healthy weight loss leads to a reduction of average glucose which is important for people living with diabetes," said Dr. Mahmood Kazemi, chief medical officer for Abbott's diabetes care business. "Abbott and WeightWatchers both have a long history of helping people live healthier lives. Through our partnership, members of the WW Diabetes-Tailored Plan can see within one app how food and activity impact their glucose levels with data backed by our FreeStyle Libre 2 system, so they can make healthy lifestyle choices. "

"WeightWatchers is the #1 doctor recommended weight-management program2, and our WW Diabetes-Tailored Plan has been proven to reduce members hemoglobin A1c by 0.76 and decrease diabetes distress by 9.8 percent8," said Gary Foster, chief scientific officer for WeightWatchers. "Together, our two trusted brands are helping people living with Type 2 diabetes better understand and manage their chronic condition and gain control of their health while still enjoying the foods they love."

The WW Diabetes-Tailored Plan, designed by WW's team of nutrition and behavioral science experts helps those living with Type 2 diabetes form helpful habits and meet their health goals for lasting change. The WW Diabetes-Tailored Plan has been shown to help people living with diabetes lose weight and lower their hemoglobin A1c a test that reflects average glucose levels for the past three months. The higher a person's hemoglobin A1c level is, the higher their risk is for diabetes complications.

From now until Dec. 31, 2023, new WW members can enjoy a free month of the WeightWatchers Diabetes-Tailored Plan and connect the WW app with the FreeStyle Libre 2 system. Any new FreeStyle Libre 2 users may be eligible to receive a voucher for a free11 trial of the FreeStyle Libre 2 system when they sign up for the MyFreeStyle Libre program.

To sign up for each of these offers and to learn more about the connected app experience, visit ww.com/diabetesconnection.

The FreeStyle Libre portfolio is the number one sensor-based glucose monitoring system in the world changing the lives of over 5 million people across more than 60 countries14 by providing breakthrough technology that is accessible and affordable.

Source: Abbott and WeightWatchers Connected App Experience is Now Available for People Living with Diabetes