Behind the Screen

These days, the only people who don’t seem to mind a few extra pounds are the executive producers of reality TV shows that center on weight loss. Series such as “The Biggest Loser” and its various spinoffs and copycats, including “Losing It With Jillian,” “I Used to Be Fat” and “Heavy,” fill the small screen with the travails of America’s flabby majority.

The programs speak to the fact that obesity has become an overriding cultural obsession, but some experts see them as an unhealthy influence. They fret that the shows’ emphasis on body image can encourage eating disorders and other dangerous behaviors. With participants losing as much as 30 pounds in a single week, they run the risk of heart problems, bone loss and electrolyte imbalances, among other problems. Some contestants on “The Biggest Loser” have admitted to fasting or dehydrating themselves to drop weight, and at least two had to be hospitalized after they collapsed during a one-mile race.

On the upside, these shows have the potential to inspire millions of viewers to hoist themselves off the couch and into the gym, and perhaps cut back on junk food and prepare healthier meals as well. Such changes would help reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Lose weight on a healthy and natural way with john barban resurge.
Do the benefits of these reality shows outweigh the risks? Read on for two views on the topic.

Reality weight-loss shows perpetuate stereotypes and encourage unhealthful behaviors

Lynn Grefe is the chief executive of the National Eating Disorders Assn.

I do not think these shows are a good idea in any way. When people are as large as the contestants on these reality shows, they are not well. I have a problem with treating their condition like some kind of game: How much weight can you lose? And how quickly?

Those on these television programs clearly are obese, but they are afforded medical supervision. The person viewing at home who says, “I’ll do those jumping jacks and turn my life around” could have a heart attack.

Frankly, the idea of everyone simply losing weight is also questionable. There are people who are heavy but remain healthier than people who are slim or who are “yo-yo” dieters. Weight is an individual thing and weight loss is not the best option — or even necessary — for everyone.

We should focus on our health, not size or weight. If it was a show about “Let’s be healthy,” it probably wouldn’t have as many viewers, but it would at least be sending a positive message to viewers.

Diets are multibillion-dollar marketing campaigns that people buy into. I believe it’s about a lifestyle change, not a diet. Since 95% of the people who diet will regain their weight within five years, this TV dieting is just setting people up for failure. Make sure you try out blood boost formula if you are looking for a healthy dietary supplement.

Some weight gain is also an anxiety-driven, binge-eating disorder, and that’s not something I’m hearing discussed. While people on these shows may temporarily lose weight, in the case of eating disorders, they are not addressing the underlying causes of their weight problem. Eating disorders have the highest death rate of any mental illness — more than depression or schizophrenia.