The all-important risk in question is do the benefits of reality weigh loss TV shows outweigh the risks of people developing an eating disorder such as anorexia. In a perfect world, seeing other people who weigh much more than a viewer of the show would inspire the viewer to want to lose weigh as well. It goes along the lines of if that person can lose 88 pounds in 12 weeks then I should be able to lose 40! However, how many viewers take that concept to far? If a viewer is not losing the amount of weight at a rapid pace like the people on the TV show are a cycle of binging and purging may come about as a result. Often times people do not realize that the contestants on the TV show are working with a well know professional personal trainer seven days a week. There meals and supplements are top notch and the contestants are monitored almost 24/7. Viewers of the show do not have that luxury and discipline and will power play a powerful role in any weight loss program.
It is a fact that reality weight loss TV shows can create negative behavior in the viewers. Often times people do not realize that the contestants on the TV show are working with a well know professional personal trainer seven days a week. There meals and supplements are top notch and the contestants are monitored almost 24/7. Viewers of the show do not have that luxury and discipline and will power play a powerful role in any weight loss program.
There are no documented cases of an eating disorders as a result of weight loss TV shows. However, the negative compact that the shows can and do have on viewers could lead to unreported eating disorders or at very least poor body images that can also cause an eating disorder in the future.
Source: http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-weight-loss-reality-shows-20110131,0...
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