Body image is a huge issue for children and teens. Research shows that concern about weight is very common among adolescents, and that an overemphasis on the desirability of thinness combined with a lack of good information about health and nutrition can lead to dangerous attempts at dieting.

“Medically, there are significant consequences to a young growing body when calories are restricted," registered dietitian and eating disorder specialist Melainie Rogers told The Daily Meal. “There’s a delay in the maturation process, inadequate strengthening of bone structure, and inadequate development of the brain, to name a few.”

And yet, Weight Watchers has announced that soon teenagers aged 13-17 will be able to join Weight Watchers for free. The company says that this will “help the development of healthy habits at a critical life stage.”

“My fear is that by encouraging teens to diet, they are internalizing the message that something is ‘wrong’ with them,” was psychotherapist Abby Thompson’s response. “We need to start thinking of marketing dieting to children as just as absurd and immoral as marketing cigarettes to them.”

Whether or not you agree with the initiative, free memberships will be offered to teens as of summer 2018.