Who Really Is the Biggest Loser?

In conversation with a client this week, I was asked a question about weight loss I had never been asked before: “What do you think of The Biggest Loser?”  In truth, I had never seen an episode, but that all changed this week when I finally sat down to watch one.

As I sit here writing this piece, I cannot describe to you how disgusted I am with this show.

For those of you unfamiliar with the show, The Biggest Loser is a televised competition between individuals that are morbidly obese.  The goal is to compete in teams and lose as much weight possible.  The winner is then deemed the “biggest loser” of weight; although, I suspect this title has a more demeaning double entendre.

As I sit here writing this piece, I cannot describe to you how disgusted I am with this show.  I had hoped to present a balanced pro vs. con debate.  Given how strongly I feel against the program, however, I think it is necessary to highlight their multiple wrongdoings.  Let’s begin, shall we?

Humiliation Nation  

First and foremost, the level of humiliation contestants’ face is unbelievable.  From weekly weigh-ins to photos of them eating, each experience serves to humiliate participants into submission.  Weigh-ins are done publicly, with women dressed in nothing but a sports bra and shorts; men are topless.  Removing a mere shirt will not affect weight, so I can only suspect this move is done for further spectacle.

Bigger, Better, Faster

From a physiological perspective, these programs are completely unrealistic.  Participants exercise for hours at a time, have all their meals prepared for them, and are set on strict routines.  Their trainers, and supposed cheerleaders, encourage drastic weight loss.  One teen contestant lost up to 30 lbs in the first week.  This was likely water, but nonetheless, unhealthy.  Rarely mentioned is how women are at a disadvantage, given their body composition is higher in fat and lower in water.  Men, who inherently have more muscle, will burn faster and lose more.

Let’s face it – these programs can be dangerous.  For those that are very inactive, sudden hours of exercise are a shock to their system.  In one scene, a young girl vomits from overexertion, only to have Jillian Michaels (her trainer) yell, “Let’s go!”  Another contestant, an elderly man, passed out from a low blood pressure spell but was back on the treadmill the next day.  Are these not red flags to stop?

Fit Inside the Mold

Stereotypes are highly prevalent in the show.  Obese people are portrayed as lazy and lacking will-power.  Within minutes of the show starting, one trainer states: “But none of it is going to mean anything if you’re going to sit there, eating ice cream, watching our show”.  As a dietitian, I was unaware that ice cream was causing our obesity crisis.  Thank you Biggest Loser for that insightful observation.

You Are Nothing

Above all, this show is abrasive and patronizing.  Trainers are heard telling the contestants “It’s may way or it’s the door.”  Very supportive, indeed.   In one instance,  a female contestant was struggling to jog.  Witnessing this, Jillian felt it appropriate to pull back on her with a resistance band, like a rein on a horse.  This show treats contestants worse than animals, racing them, pushing them, and emotionally beating them into submission.

The piece de resistance was when Jillian asked one of the girls “Why are you fat?”  Interesting question.  Would you ask anyone why their eyes are green?  Or ask them to explain the number of freckles they have?  No, because you’d look absurd.

Then why is it acceptable for Jillian to ask such a demeaning question?  Some researchers have deemed fat stigma to be one of the last, socially acceptable forms of discrimination.  Based on what I have witnessed, I would have to agree.

But if you really wanted to know who the biggest losers are, let me tell you.  They are the producers and people that support this show, profiting from people’s misery.  To prey on people’s emotions and perpetuate fat stigma is sick.  I pity them though, because there isn’t a medication in the world that will fix that.

Want to know what I would do if I ran the Biggest Loser?  Stay tuned for my next post….