Breaking Bad Habits

For over a decade, weight management has become a big problem in the United States, as the obesity rate continues to rise, especially in children. Because of such concerns , many T.V. networks have decided to air shows that focus solely on weight control. MTV has committed lots of their many of their “True Life” series to teen obesity. One such episode is titled “True Life: I’m Going to Fat Camp,” where teens go to a weight loss camp to aide in coping with the physical and emotional challenges that come with obesity. Lifetime Channel began a new show just this spring titled “Cook Yourself Thin,” in which three hosts teach people how to cook some favorite American foods without the calories. Finally, probably the most watched weight loss show is NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.” Contestants on this show go to a fitness boot camp complete with personal trainers who have the contestants doing physical activity everyday and a strict diet. These shows are a reflection of American society and the major problems we have with weight control.
MTV’s “True Life: I’m Going to Fat Camp” aired nearly five years ago, but several episodes featuring weight loss have since been aired on MTV . In the “I’m Going to Fat Camp” episode, three different teens went to a fat camp, while the cameras followed their daily lives . The teens spoke on about the emotional problems that come with obesity, by telling the audience that they are picked on at school and that they usually have social problems. Also, the show documented how much weight the teens lost while they were there . This show is good for teens because it shows the effects of not watching what you eat. The show also seemed like it could have been a wake up call to parents to make sure their children aren’t eating junk food all the time.
Lifetime’s “Cook Yourself Thin” is a show where three women cook some favored recipes by using substitutes where possible to take out extra calories. The show really focuses on portion control and how people may still eat good food, without all the extra calories. The only problem with the show is that it does not talk about the role of exercise, which is also one of the main ways to lose weight. The shows is a good start for those who want to eat healthier and just don’t know how, but already do lots of physical activity .
“The Biggest Loser” on NBC is one of the most loved weight loss shows currently on T.V. The show features contestants who are obese to morbidly obese and who desperately want serious help. The show documents the contestants as they diet and exercise over the course of several months. This show is really great because it focuses on the benefits of a good diet and lots of exercise, which are the keys to losing weight.
The fact that the shows listed above are just a few of the many different weight loss shows on television is a direct reflection of one of the main health issues in our society, obesity. Hopefully, people who watch these shows will realize the effects of obesity and change their habits if need be, so Americans will be healthier in the future.

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