Hmmm...I'm wondering. To add to the excellent answers here, does the show also sends a subliminal message that "Overweight America" is not okay? The stats I do hear are the climbing figures regarding obesity in this country. So I think (for the great reasons cited above) that it's a win for the contestants, I think it's a win for the network, I don't think people watch the show to make a mockery of the contestants, and it seems as though there might be a whole lot of "You can do it!" mentality, which is not a bad thing.

I respect the NY Times, but I can't help but think the network would not want to be responsible for the demise of the contestants. Do they suggest that these people take extra, unsafe measures to increase the weight loss? If that is the case, this is beyond exploitation and into heinous. Not to mention phenomenally illegal.

Athletes understand the negative ramifications of steroids. Clearly understand them. And yet, steroid use goes primarily unchecked. Weird parallel, but people desperate to compete have a tendency to ignore the downside and to do whatever it takes. The Biggest Loser is, after all, a competition.

Regardless of everything, don't forget, The biggest loser is a reality show! It's all about ratings an money to the network, not about weight loss!

The Biggest Loser is the shining example of what could happen if you invested six hours a day working out intensely, had a dietitian stocking your refrigerator, and two overly aggressive top trainers working you until your legs barely function and your toes are lined with blisters. Of course, a large check waving at the finish line would be the best motivator ever.

I think the contestants on the show are there because they choose to be, they weren't forced to be there. They go through a screening process. They don't seem to think it's degrading. There is nothing degrading about an overweight person trying to lose weight. (It's like that really overweight person in the gym working out). You have to give them credit for it. They are trying to get healthy. If there's a payoff in the end, that's great, regardless of that, they'll always have the weight loss.

I do think that the network might be exploiting it somewhat especially looking at the spandex outfits contestants have to wear. Anything for those ratings! I have to admit, watching the contestants is very motivating and even though I'm not overweight, I hit the gym myself numerous times. When people see others trying to better their quality of life, usually they'll follow.

Hope that helps.

Well, no reality show is going to have a totally accurate depiction of weight loss, because it's boring. The slow, methodical journey to better health and physical well-being wouldn't make for gripping TV at all. So I don't think you can blame the show for trying to hype things up a bit and make them more exciting. However, it does seem like they should take responsibility on some level for putting obese people in a situation where they'd be tempted to endanger their own health, and it works against the main idea of the show, which is to improve their lives. I don't really watch the show, and I probably still won't, but I'm not sure if this crosses the line into exploitation.

Any reality show is going to exploit the participants. They all know this ahead of time and have all signed waivers to be on the show.

It is a very motivating show, and I think it is good for America. More people are hitting the gyms because of this.

All people, whether on this show, or in plain life, need to realize that loosing weight can be dangerous and should be done under a doctors guidance.

I think the show is helping people. Those on the show are being monitored by physicians and have arguably 2 of the best trainers in the world for weight loss. Overweight people who watch the show might get some extra motivation they need to get off their couch and start exercising. Of course they wont exercise to the extreme that the contestants on the show do, BUT doesn't mean that it isn't possible for them to do so. The contestants being 300 to 400 pounds or more in some cases can workout 6 hours a day, which shows that anyone without major physical problems can begin exercising, even if just 20 minutes of slow walking to start. Anything to get one moving is a start. There was a Biggest Loser special showing what some of the past conestants are doing and quite a few are now trainers. One made a book for kids to start exercising in a fun way. Some are motivational speakers now. The first female winner, Ali Vincent is a spokesperson for the show and is seen on television promoting weight loss products from the Biggest Loser. There have been some that are struggling, which is normal, but in general, the contestants are doing a great job in getting the word out about eating properly and getting exercise.

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