Losing weight is increasingly becoming a concern for the general public across all walks of life. Many sources offer unprecedented ways and tips on losing weight. Particularly, the media boasts of effective criteria for losing weight. However, this recommendations and tips apparently may have positive or negative influence on the general perspective of losing weight. This paper will examine the effects of the weight loss based television series such as, “The Biggest Loser” and “I Used to be Fat” on the general perspective on losing weight.
Such television shows serve as proof to the dejected dieters that losing weight in the real sense is a state that is achievable. These shows use individuals whom have had problems with losing weight on their own. It basically requires personal motivation, determination and commitment to the task. In addition, an understanding of the biology of weight gain and loss will help the dieter sufficiently in his or her efforts in losing weight.
Usually the contestants in the show are subject to physical instructors who help them achieve specific goals, while the dieter at home is not under any supervision. This depict to the viewer at home that s/he needs to exercise serious discipline with regard to putting weight loss goals and executing them, although they also need to know the basis behind rigorous exercise and dieting, which the television shows often do not offer.
Because of the lack of understanding for the essence of exercises, the dieters at home can push themselves beyond the limits and end up worsening their fitness. Also, the home viewers lack the help accorded by nutritionist to the contestants in the shows, such that they adopt some ineffective dietary measures that may deprive them of the essential nutrients for a sound health status. In support of this conviction, Pillinger (2009) argues that the body requires gradual changes in regard of diet and physical exercise.
From psychological perspective, such shows can create a false impression on losing weight. The rates at which the contestants are losing weight are so drastic so that the viewers at home get demoralised when they compare their outcomes with those of the contestants. In so doing they fail to understand that their conditions are different from those of the contestants. The contestants are purposely set for showing the useful aspect of losing weight, such that their time and effort are dedicated on losing weight at all cost to attain a predetermined reward. On the other hand, the dieters at home barely have challenges balancing their spare time between executing domestic responsibilities and exercising.
Also, the dieters may lack access to dietary tips for weight losing, such that they may start abruptly to starve themselves and indulge in diets that strictly restrain calories which can lead to deficiency in the necessary nutrients and vitamins (Pillinger, 2008). Thus, when they do not achieve practical outcomes they may give up the holistic of losing weight, which may render them exposed to risks for chronic diseases.
Although these television shows underscores the key factors of losing weight, they fall short of elucidating the understanding of the theme. The ordinary dieter need to understand the rationale behind exercise and dieting to avoid unnecessary detriments. For instance, Pallinger (2008) argues that an individual has not exercised for long time should not plunge into pounding the treadmill or jogging miles a day. This will not only leave him or her feeling discouraged and demoralised, but also at risk of injuring oneself and worsening owns fitness status.
I disagree with the first viewpoint because, the reality shows has negative impact on the general perspective of healthy weight loss. This is because some of these shows diminish the complexity of obesity to mere simplistic depictions usually with strong moral and decisive implications (Rich, 2011). The simple answer provided by the “experts” who seldom seem to fully comprehend the reality of the contestant lives. They do not understand the economical challenges associated with perhaps implementing a healthy diet. This point is supported by the following dialogue (Rich, 2011):
“Jamie returns to Natasha’s house to find that she is once again feeding her daughter cheese-chips. ‘Sorry, I’m just embarrassed’, Natasha says eventually. ‘I don’t know how it gets like this. I really try with money, I do.’ Jamie, looking confused replies ‘Look’, he begins, ‘I’m not going to say to you that I understand, because … well, erm, I don’t.’ Natasha gets tearful, and explains that during the week she had spent all of her benefit money on bus fares and overdue bills, and had little left to buy the ingredients for the recipe that Jamie had taught her. As Jamie stands in the kitchen Natasha cries. ‘Come here’, he says, moving towards her to hug her. ‘Get off’, she says, pushing him away.”
The messages depicted in such television series are often at odds with the facts surrounding the dieters live when health is detached from the societal circumstance that determines it. For instance, the class connection of food preference is given minimal consideration in Jamies Return to School Dinners. They do not regard the cultural value that certain foods such as chips might have for the home viewers, in the sense that they might be cheap and substantial thereby satisfying his or her financial requirements (Rich, 2011).
These shows do not pass as entertainments especially for persons faced with challenge of losing weight challenge; rather they destruct the viewer from focusing on the weight losing measures. Moreover, Rich (2011) argues that their dietary and exercise tips are stated without accredited scientific basis, which are argued to be inconclusive or inaccurate. Thus this modality of educating the public on losing weight is indeed threatening the health status of the general public, unless strict dietary and exercise measures are implemented by individuals.
The fact that these shows do not portray the reality of the situation from the viewer’s perspective is enough evidence to serve as the basis for detracting the viewers from such shows. The contestants spend most of their time and energy working their weights, which is not the case with the dieter at home. The viewers have very limited time at their dispose for exercising. However, they can be taught how to make use of the limited time for their benefit.
It does not take a dramatic change of lifestyle to achieve sufficient weight lose. In fact small changes can make a big difference. Pallinger (2009) argues that single extra biscuit per week can produce a 5lb gain a year. Foregoing that biscuit, translates to loosing the same amount a week.
Possibly it is important to consistently remind oneself that still the best-intended television series should capture the concerns of the viewer at home. In fact “what is “good tv” is not always perfectly accurate science” (Sharma, 2011).
Reference List
Pillinger, J. (2009). How to lose weight the healthy way. NetDoctor. Web.
Rich E (2011). ‘I see her being obesed!’: Public pedagogy, reality media and the obesity crisis. Health (London, England : 1997), 15 (1), 3-21 PMID: 21212111.
Sharma, A. M. (2011). The pedagogy of obesity reality shows. Web.