Former Big Brother star Nikki Grahame blasted the new app released by Weight Watchers, now known as WW, in the US aimed at kids.
The weight loss app called Kurbo is aimed at those aged between eight and 18, and aims to help them live a healthier lifestyle with a coach, targets and food system.
But it’s come under fire with suggestion from those against it that it could encourage eating disorders in children, with Nikki herself backing this claim.
The reality TV star has always been open with her own battle with eating disorders, and revealed on This Morning that she was admitted to her first eating disorder unit aged eight years old.
Speaking on the show on Friday, she told hosts Rochelle Humes and Davina McCall why the app, which has no plans to be released in the UK, should be banned.
Weight Watchers said of Kurbo to the show: “Weight Watchers in the US has collaborated with the youth advisory panel, a team of leading healthcare professionals and academic experts in the paediatric field of health and nutrition from around the globe.
“They recognise a clear need for an engaging, scalable, family-based program devised specifically for kids and teens. There currently no plans to launch this in the UK.
“Kurbo is a scientifically proven family-based health and lifestyle program, and is focused on behaviour changes for healthier eating.”
But Nikki shared the importance of considering the effects such an app could have on children, and those battling with an eating disorder.
She said: “I think it’s such dangerous territory. I got admitted to my first eating disorders unit at the age of eight, and children as young as that going on this app… it’s just so frightening and damaging.”
Nikki added: “This is a trigger, making children obsessed over food and diet. They have enough education in a classroom on healthy living, they don’t need to obsess.”
Asked what effects the app may have had on her at a young age, she said: “It would have been so incredibly dangerous. Does the app include the long term damage you can do to your body?
“It’s not just about being slim, it’s about children, this is vital growth for them. Their hormones, their organs, it’s all going to be affected.”
Referencing her own battle with eating disorders, she added: “Unfortunately it is something you do live with, but you are in control and I think that is why it’s such delicate grounds because it is exacerbating eating disorders.”
This Morning airs weekdays and Sundays at 10:30am on ITV.
