The Biggest Loser: Flaws

Can anyone please let me know how the show The Biggest Loser got its permit to appear on television (or anywhere else for that matter)?! Oh yes, I almost forgot! It is all legal and permitted due to the extremely corrupt government and today's deteriorated society. These two massive issues develop strong concern and fear in me for the future of this society. I am hoping the reason millions of people still watch the show is because people are not aware that consuming 1000-1200kcal while intensely exercising for between two to five hours per day is beyond unhealthy. How the contestants still manage to walk on their own impresses me. If people are actually aware of the dangers and cruelty in the production of the show, then people need to develop some compassion and quit supporting such a horrid and cruel reality.

The leap from the contestants' regular daily caloric intake to such a low intake would convert the body into starvation mode, so the body tries harder to retain body fat. The shocking decrease of caloric intake could also make the contestants develop an ulcer, eventually leading to an acidic reflux. Exercising until death, syncope (fainting or passing out), and nausea (throwing up or puking) is clearly not healthy either. Pre syncope (feeling as if you are about to faint) should not even be acceptable. Jillian Michaels is not reliable. Does anybody else remember her diet pill incidents? Did you know she went to court multiple times due to the fact her pills potentially cause people's organs to fail and eventually lead to death? Jillian Michaels might be famous, but her tactics and "lifestyle lessons" are clearly not always safe.

What the show claims to society and the media, and how the contestants are actually treated are far off different. Yes, they get a psychologist, dietician etc., but after the season ends, they are completely on their own. Try to think about the mental damage done to these contestants. This show has created many eating disorders, and the studio does not care. "Save it for the camera." they say when a contestant calls for help. Either that is what they respond with, or they ignore the person completely. The studio uses people for money and views, then discard them like trash. One contestant was in tears, reaching out to the studio for help with her new eating disorder, created from The Biggest Loser. The person on the other end of the line told her to bottle up her emotions so it can be displayed on camera, and later incorporated into the show. How would you feel if you developed an eating disorder from a show and the show refuses to help you? How would you feel if your life feels as if it is falling to pieces and you do not have enough money to seek professional help? How would you feel if someone promises you something and does not actually go through with it? I would be enraged, depressed, and scared for my life. Eating disorders are no small issues that people should have to struggle with. They are life threatening. Just think about it. If you are related or have a close relationship to someone dying of an eating disorder due to a show or person, how would you feel? How would you act? I am certain that you will take action to help your family member or friend as best as you can and find justice.

As if the reality of the show is not immoral enough, adolescents are now put on the show. Teenagers have an extremely fragile psyche, and viewers will remember them on the show. More than likely, people who are dedicated viewers will judge these adolescents if they ever come across the teenagers in real life. When asked if the contestants and adolescents will continue (for at least a short period of time after the show has ended) to receive psychiatric help for their fragile minds, people from the studio just laughed at the idea and claimed only if lucky, which means 99.9% chance it is going to be a no. The studio should be aware that people under the age of 20 that start dieting are more likely to develop an eating disorder in the future than those who do not diet prior to the age of 20. (This is information given by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, better known as the CDC) Though teens will not be kicked from the show and weigh ins will not be public, everyone will see the difference of fitness and weight loss. This causes a huge amount of extra pressure for these teenagers to keep a thin figure. These teenagers will most likely develop anorexic tendencies, bulimic tendencies, and/or binge tendencies, if not a full blown disorder. Nevertheless, they are still extremely dangerous. To have an eating disorder is to feel trapped in his or her own thoughts, locked in by judgement, insecurity, and pressure by society. The Biggest Loser is promoting this negative self containment, leading to disastrous results.

Clearly, some people will get to see these contestants in the future, look at what they are eating at that moment, and judge excessively. Not only is it rude, but it is also unfair to judge someone you do not know at all. Sadly, judgement is all around us and the contestants have it even more difficult than the rest of us. For example, a lady who was on the show once bought ice cream and some people around her were staring and telling her she should not eat the ice cream. This lady felt so ashamed. Food should never be blocked off completely. Moderation is key. When a treat you enjoy is cut off completely, you will most likely develop strong cravings, overeat to try to fulfill the cravings, and/or eventually binge. Restricting does not teach moderation or self control. Restricting merely is the base of a whole new issue. Basically, this show trains people in today's society to hate their body and others to criticize other's weight. This is very unfair and depressing for the person being judged. It creates an extreme amount of shame, pressure, and discomfort in daily life. this could lead to the person avoiding social situations, creating a domino effect by developing cabin fever, which leads to extreme depression. Think of a time when you were judged by a large group of people. How did all the negative judgement effect you? When will the world be free from the cage of numbers? The locks of judgement? When will people just live healthy once more?

One step at a time. Spread the word. The Biggest Loser should be cancelled.