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Four Corners finds the good news in Biggest Loser

ABC discovers that TEN's reality show has given a lasting halo effect to Ararat's fight against obesity.

2013-12-24_0107The Biggest Loser frequently comes under fire in the media for its shock tactics, gruelling weight loss strategies and short-term goals.

But last night ABC’s Four Corners balanced the scales considerably, when it reported that the 2014 season in Ararat has contributed to the town’s ongoing battle against obesity.

While only a select number of locals were featured in the show, the local council used winnings to fund an ‘Active 8’ fitness program for others in the community. As a result hundreds of residents now wear pedometers to record their movement each day.

ABC cited examples of locals now regularly exercising since Biggest Loser came to town last year and locals spoke about the “roll-on effect” of the show.

Local mayor Paul Hooper told Four Corners the TEN reality series provided the “kick that we needed.”

“We want to write the book for rural communities,” he said.

Biggest Loser host Hayley Lewis hosted an local event for Active 8 participants who have all lost the kilos.

But the show didn’t quite get a ringing endorsement, with Prof. Boy Swinburn from Deakin Uni referring to the difficulties of participants sustaining weight loss after Loser’s crash course approach.

Four Corners expanded its coverage to issues in the junk food industry, marketing, food packaging and government regulation.

“Ararat’s intense focus on diet and exercise, did turn the whole town around,” said Four Corners‘ Geoff Thompson.

“Ararat didn’t get here on its own. It took a chance on a big helping hand.”

Ararat’s average BMI is now closer to the national average.

As a good health tick, this was about as good as it gets for The Biggest Loser.

One Response

  1. People who criticise the effectiveness need to recognise that individuals need to take responsibility for their own maintenance of eating and exercising responsibly thereafter. They’ve already proven it taken a truckload of work to get it off, keeping it off takes commitment, too.

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