TV shows promoting weight loss take a reality check

With more and more television shows promoting extreme weight loss programs, it is about time viewers learnt about the reality of on-air dieting.

At least this is the view that was published in today's (February 1) edition of the Sun Herald, which featured an opinion piece by dietitian and manager of VicHealth's Nutrition Program Julie Woods.

"When The Biggest Loser started on Australian television in 2006, dietitians were curious about whether it would be mere entertainment or go further and educate audiences about good nutrition and regular exercise for weight loss," she wrote.

And while some experts will say that these television programs are helping ordinary people lose weight by promoting a healthy attitude towards food, it seems that Ms Woods is concerned viewers are not taking home the positive message.

"Six years on, with the addition of Excess Baggage this week, we are yet to see solid evidence that these types of programs are anything more than high-rating 'reality' TV," she said.

When identifying the weaknesses of the reality series Ms Woods made it clear that people living in the 'real-world' do not have the resources to make that type of weight loss achievable.

Posted by Juliette Pemberton