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I Can Make You Thin

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Starring Paul McKenna, Where to watch: TLC)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Infomercial-like show offers healthy eating ideas.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The show focuses on changing people's attitudes about food and their relationship to it. It offers non-judgmental advice on how to change behavior, though explanations about how the body and mind address food are oversimplified.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    Occasional references to how people feel unattractive to others. Some personal stories bring up issues like adultery.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Although the show doesn't sell any products, it blurs the line between being a talk show and being an infomercial, since it's essentially a promotional vehicle for Paul McKenna and his self-help tools.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Occasional references to drinking alcohol as it relates to food consumption and weight loss.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About I Can Make You Thin

Parents need to know that although this series -- in which a popular British self-help author shares his advice on how to lose weight -- offers some healthy, non-judgmental advice, the way the plan is presented sometimes sounds more like an infomercial than a talk show. Tweens probably won't be too interested anyway, but weight-conscious teens might be. If so, make a point of reminding them that there are no "quick fixes" and that changing their relationship with food takes time and commitment. It's worth noting that some of the featured folks; personal stories bring up mature issues like adultery.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the media's role in promoting a healthy lifestyle. How does the media affect the way people think about food? Do you think the media promotes healthy habits overall? Why or why not? Families can also discuss the difference between talk shows and infomercials. Did you know that talk shows are designed to promote things like movies, books, products, and ideas? Do you think talk shows ever go too far in promoting something?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    vvfrn2
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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