16 – What’s the Big Deal with the Biggest Loser‪?‬ Scott Abel Fitness Podcast

We discuss recent as well as some older articles and studies about The Biggest Loser, including issues with metabolism, the framing of how weight loss happens, and some of the more pervasive effects of representing weight loss in the media. Scott also discusses some of the things he knows athletes would do to lose weight from his experiences in the competition.

Articles



* “Forget the pounds. ‘The Biggest Loser’ tries to shed critics of its weight-loss plan,” Los Angeles Times, Jan 28, 2020

* “Authorities Probe ‘Biggest Loser' Over Doping Allegations,” New York Post, May 31, 2016

* “Report: ‘Biggest Loser' Contestants Provided Illicit Drugs to Lose Weight,” Philly Voice, May 22, 2016

* “After ‘The Biggest Loser,’ Their Bodies Fought to Regain Weight,” New York Times, May 2, 2016



Studies



* “Audience Responses to Physical Activity in the Biggest Loser Australia” in Journal of Health Communication

* “Losing Weight on Reality TV: A Content Analysis of the Weight Loss Behaviors and Practices Portrayed on The Biggest Loser” Lori A. Klos et al.

* “Metabolic slowing with massive weight loss despite preservation of fat-free mass” In J Clin Endocrinol Metab.

* “No Clear Winner: Effects of The Biggest Loser on the Stigmatization of Obese Person” in Health Communication

* “Persistent metabolic adaptation 6 years after “The Biggest Loser” competition” in Obesity



Other



* Why Diets Make Us Fat by Sandra Aamodt