News Letter

The Biggest Loser Challenge: Separating Myth From Reality

Television has become a major force in society today. The fitness world does little to encourage watching TV or anything that requires long periods of sedentary behavior. However, there is one show that has drawn significant attention from the fitness world: The Biggest Loser. While the show seems to have raised awareness about obesity and overcoming challenges, there is some debate that the show can send the wrong message to some people.

The Biggest Loser portrays morbidly obese contestants and their quests to lose large amounts of weight in a very short amount of time. Two teams of contestants are each led by personal fitness trainers. The teams are given different challenges, all of which are focused around weight and health. Weekly points are given to the team that has lost the most weight. At the end of the show, contestants emerge much leaner, stronger, with a total head-to-toe make-over.

The Biggest Loser seems like a great answer to significant weight loss, but many fitness professionals have raised concerns about the show's real-life plausibility. From the beginning, contestants are separated from the outside world, including their families, and every part of their lives is controlled. From their diets, to their effort output, they are monitored and told what to do. This unlikely scenario sets up unrealistic personal expectations and the ultimate results. The show's extreme workouts could be dangerous, even fatal, for someone with an undiagnosed health condition such as heart disease and diabetes.

Does the show set up morbidly obese individuals for failure? Some fitness professionals think so. Overweight people need safe, moderate workouts that build up strength and stamina gradually and can achieve long term results. Behavior modification is the key to success, yet it's often the most difficult to change because it requires dealing with both nutritional and psychological issues. Getting to the root of the problem is the key to long term success at losing large amounts of weight. Only when the reasons that support unhealthy habits are dealt with can a person expect to change their life. There are some positives about the show. It has inspired viewers to get up and do something. The trainers, Bob and Jillian, are very motivational, helping the contestants to overcome fears and self doubt. There is also a sense of hope associated to The Biggest Loser, a feeling that "if this person who weighs 300 pounds can run a marathon, then I can walk a mile." The show itself has raised awareness and education on obesity in America, making it difficult to turn our heads and look the other way. The contestants find the power to overcome their circumstances-illustrating that we, as a society, can change this downward spiral into disease and premature death. Next >

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