Fitness industry preaching to choir, stuck in first gear, needs to change now: ACE
“The Biggest Loser,” which first aired in 2004, aims to jumpstart weight loss in the most severely obese individuals through an intensive fitness, nutrition and behavioral re-conditioning program under the supervision of physicians, registered dietitians and professional fitness trainers. Varying approaches are used to motivate, inspire, and sometimes embarrass and shame participants into pushing through grueling workouts, oftentimes lasting up to a reported four hours per day.
“Some of the techniques used on ‘The Biggest Loser’ are unsafe, ineffective and downright demotivating for many, without carefully controlled supervision,” said Michael Mantell, Ph.D., ACE senior fitness consultant for behavioral sciences. “The reality is that the show is not reality and does not represent a weight-loss program as it should be or can be pursued by the vast majority of people who are categorized as overweight or obese. That includes two-thirds of adults and one-third of children and adolescents in the United States.”
ACE, the world’s largest fitness certification and education organization, offers the following recommendations for the fitness community when it comes to talking with clients about “The Biggest Loser” weight-loss model:
- Acknowledge that “The Biggest Loser” may inspire weight-loss intenders to begin physical activity programs.
- Applaud the opportunity created by “The Biggest Loser” to engage more people in the pursuit of healthy, physically-active lifestyles while also setting realistic expectations for weight loss such as recommended weight loss not to exceed 1 to 2 pounds per week.
- Emphasize that weight-loss and physical activity programs should be designed and supervised by certified, NCCA-accredited professionals and should adhere to industry and physiological guidelines for safe and effective program design and progression.
- Advise clients to resist the temptation to emulate a Biggest Loser-style weight loss mentality which can be unsafe, ineffective and demotivating for many people.
- Warn clients that programs and products sponsored by shows like “The Biggest Loser” might not be effective or right for them.
- Reinforce for clients that weight-loss maintenance is much more difficult than weight loss, and making permanent lifestyle change will be key to their successes.
- Embrace individuals who struggle with their weight and have expressed an interest in beginning or escalating a physical-activity regimen while being sensitive to the effects of weight-based stigmatization.
- Teach clients that many factors determine a person’s body weight and shape and that the most successful strategies for weight loss combine physical activity, nutrition and behavioral change with a supportive social network and larger-scale efforts to improve community health.
- Support positive messages offered on “The Biggest Loser” such as the importance of social support and a family approach to change while, at the same time, taking a stand against potentially harmful and hurtful tactics such as embarrassing participants and testing them with hard-to-resist rewards in exchange for harmful behavior.
- Include a certified, NCCA-accredited personal trainer or health coach on your personal health-care team to support sustained healthy lifestyle choices and to fully embrace mind, body and spirit.
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