Some TV programs are motivating. Inspiring. "Biggest Loser" certainly is, sending a message to everybody that extreme weight loss is possible. And the program appeared right about the time when Americans woke up and realized that, by golly, 2/3 of us are overweight and about a third are obese.
How effective has the program been at motivating viewers to lose weight. I'd like to know. Not just stories, but survey results.
One trouble with the program is that the contestants are so obese that those simply overweight can't identify with them. That someone who is a mere 30 lbs overweight may feel he or she doesn't have a weight problem.
Others may be turned off by the fact that the contestants are in a full time boot camp, with a host of support staff off camera. (No, it's not full-time for the coaches.)
What is needed now is a similar contest involving competitors who are less heavy, and stay in their homes and compete while living a normal life. That's something we can all relate to.
How effective has the program been at motivating viewers to lose weight. I'd like to know. Not just stories, but survey results.
One trouble with the program is that the contestants are so obese that those simply overweight can't identify with them. That someone who is a mere 30 lbs overweight may feel he or she doesn't have a weight problem.
Others may be turned off by the fact that the contestants are in a full time boot camp, with a host of support staff off camera. (No, it's not full-time for the coaches.)
What is needed now is a similar contest involving competitors who are less heavy, and stay in their homes and compete while living a normal life. That's something we can all relate to.