TO CLOSE

The company, now officially called WW, is also collaborating with Blue Apron to deliver plan-approved meals to your home.
Time

Concerns about the slowing growth in Weight Watchers International membership have dealt a severe blow to Oprah Winfrey's investment in the dieting and wellness society.

Winfrey, who owns about 8% of Weight Watchers, lost nearly $ 58 million Wednesday on paper while the company's shares plummeted.

Weight Watchers shares fell 36.1% early in the trading session Wednesday to $ 18.90 after the company reported Tuesday that it was "disappointed from our start to 2019." The beginning of the year is the most crucial moment for a healthy life.

Winfrey changed its name to WW in 2018, with the aim of generating a keen interest in wellness and natural ingredients. But the pivot of weight loss can be spraying.

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Fourth-quarter net income decreased 30.5% to $ 43.8 million. The total number of subscribers at the end of the fourth quarter rose to 3.9 million, up 22.4% over the previous year.

This January 7, 2018 image released by NBC shows that Oprah Winfrey accepts the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California. Winfrey's call for social justice on behalf of the MeToo movement sparked applause at the Golden Globes Awards Ballroom in January and across the country. Oprah's experts and whisperers proclaimed it was a first step towards a presidential race and that # oprah2020 was in trend. (Paul Drinkwater / NBC via AP) ORG XMIT: NYET391 (Photo: Paul Drinkwater, AP)

Mindy Grossman, CEO of WW, said in a statement that the company had experienced a "soft start in 2019 compared to the strong performance of last year" because its recruitment period at the beginning of the year is not is not well done.

To regain momentum, Winfrey has personally agreed to "play a central role in our next TV and digital marketing campaign," said Grossman.

Oprah sells shares: Winfrey books profit on the Weight Watchers stock

Weight Watchers changes its name: WW focuses on well-being

Winfrey invested for the first time in Weight Watchers in 2015, acquiring 10% of the company for $ 6.79 per share.

Although its shares remain close to three times their original value at the time it invested, stocks are down 82% from the peak of $ 105.73 reached 52 weeks ago. Winfrey unloaded shares in March for a range of $ 58.29 to $ 63.94, making a substantial profit.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey.

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