Diet experts critical of show
November 9, 2004
By Kim Roberts-Gudeman
Dana Becher knows firsthand of the daily rollercoasters when you're trying to shed pounds.
That's why the Weight Watchers group leader was dismayed when a fitness trainer on NBC's new reality series, "The Biggest Loser," berated an overweight contestant for not losing enough weight.
"This show absolutely gets me on a rampage," said Becher, who recently lost 40-plus pounds. "It's hard enough for people to stick with a diet without them thinking they have to lose 20 pounds a week."
While "The Biggest Loser" has a following among TV viewers - 9.9 million people watched its Oct. 19 debut - diet and nutrition experts question whether the series offers winning weight-loss advice.
Two teams of obese men and women compete to drop the most weight. The team that collectively loses the least each week must vote off one member, a la "Survivor."
Or, in the words of "Loser's" tagline, "Whoever loses the most weight . . . wins."
That mentality can do more harm than good, dietitian Brenda Bishop said.
Dropping pounds too quickly can cause gall bladder disease and the loss of lean muscle mass instead of fat, Bishop said. Losing muscle hinders weight loss in the long run because muscle boosts a person's metabolism.
Instead, she recommends losing 1/2 to two pounds a week during the first six months of a weight-loss program, or up to 1 percent of body fat for severely obese patients.
"You'll be more likely to gain the weight back with rapid weight loss," said Bishop, a medical nutrition therapist at Nebraska Medical Center.
That's what happened to Matt, the hefty 25-year-old contestant from Pennsylvania. He dropped 22 pounds of water weight the first week, only to gain three back the following episode. Upon hearing the results, he cried.
Matt's reaction is why it's important to set achievable goals, said LeAnn Sundberg, the director of Jenny Craig's 134th Street and West Center Road location.
"A lot of people would be tempted to go out and eat a box of cookies to comfort themselves," Sundberg said. Instead of zeroing in on weight, "It's more important to focus on adopting a healthy lifestyle."
Beneficial activities include eating breakfast, taking a 30 minute walk and choosing low-fat milk products over sodas and juices.
On the show, diet and exercise are part of the weight-loss program, though the two groups follow different plans.
One team, led by Beverly Hills fitness guru Jillian Michaels, uses "The Eat Less Diet," low in calories and high in fiber and protein. Michaels, a stern taskmaster, yells at contestants during cardiovascular workouts.
The other team, led by Los Angeles trainer Bob Harper, follows "The Eat More Diet" rich in protein and low in carbohydrates and fat. Harper is more compassionate, encouraging his team after upsets.
The show does offer a few positives. It raises awareness of a growing epidemic and encourages teamwork, which can aid in weight loss, Bishop said.
But neither Bishop nor Weight Watchers' Becher thought that national TV was the best place to achieve life-changing weight loss.
"Getting on a scale is hard enough at meetings," Becher said. "To make it so trivial on reality TV . . . I think they crossed the line."
Source:www.omaha.com
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