Many ‘Biggest Loser’ Contestants Leave Show with Slower Metabolisms and Regain Their Weight
According to the May issue of the Connect online publication of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Many ‘Biggest Loser’ Contestants Leave Show with Slower Metabolisms and Regain Their Weight reports that “Everything ‘The Biggest Loser’ taught you about weight loss is wrong.”
A new study found that many contestants on “The Biggest Loser,” NBC’s long-running reality show known for its extreme weight loss measures, leave with slower metabolisms, making it that much more difficult to maintain or continue their weight loss once they leave the show. In fact, after six years, most regain a significant amount of the weight they lost.
When people lose massive amounts of weight, it is well known their resting metabolic rate slows down and they burn fewer calories while at rest. This phenomenon is known as metabolic adaptation. After a period of time though, resting metabolism generally rises, but not in the case of “The Biggest Loser” contestants — it remained at the lower rate for the entire length of the study (6 years). As a result, contestants had to consume about 500 fewer calories per day than other people their size to avoid gaining weight.
Pam Davis, RN, CBN, MBA, bariatric program director for TriStar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville has been a long-time critic of the show. “I abhor their methods,” said Davis. “Screaming, yelling and belittling people does not make for an effective or positive long-term end result. During filming, contestants do not work, they do not live their normal lives; instead, during the show their existence revolves around exercise, which is unrealistic for anyone to maintain when they return to a normal life”
To read the full article on ASMBS online click here.