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Shaq's Big Challenge

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Starring Shaquille O'Neal, Where to watch: ABC)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    NBA star takes focus away from kids' weight loss.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The series' focus is on creating healthier lifestyles in kids and raising awareness of a dangerous epidemic of obesity. But, like other weight-related shows, it often plays on the shock value of parents' and kids' emotions. Shaq and his team of professionals talk tough to the kids to underscore the seriousness of their situation and often refer to the kids' efforts as "pathetic" and "terrible."
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Occasional expletives like "ass."
  • Consumerism:

    Only brandless junk food (pizza, burgers, fries, etc.) is shown, but its detrimental effects on kids' health is described in detail.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Shaq's Big Challenge

Parents need to know that the kids in this reality weight-loss series are subjected to tough, in-your-face talk from the team of professionals trying to inspire them, often reducing both them and their parents to tears. Their physical efforts are also disparaged, with the experts calling them "pathetic" and "terrible," both to their faces and in private. That said, the criticism they face is rooted in fact, as all of the kids are obese (some morbidly so) and on their way to a lifetime of health problems. It's unlikely that your kids will be inspired to change their own habits just because of this series, but it might open their (and your) eyes to the seriousness of this countrywide epidemic.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how the show approaches the important issue of childhood obesity. Do you think it makes a clear, effective point? What other ways could the experts approach the issue with the kids? Why is obesity such a problem, anyway? What role does the media play in our food consumption and lifestyle habits? Do you think there should be limits on the advertising and endorsements that junk food companies and fast food restaurants can do? Why or why not? (Read more on the issue.) Families can also discuss the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

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Our Members Say

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See all 8 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    I liked this program because the mentors did not try to put a pretty face on this issue. They made the dangers of obesity clear and precise. They conveyed that it takes much hard work and effort for obese children to achieve their goals. They also showed what can be achieved with hard work and gave these kids some hope.

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    I Didn't eat dessert and I continued to exercise

    Great show anything said in the show was the reality of life and being overweight. These kids and many more needed to be pushed until they had momentum to do it themselves. The combination of nutrition, discipline,exercise and friendship is awesome. School personnel and Shaq's experts combine for good solutions. A weaker approach would equal to weak results.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Alabama
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 2.0

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

    This was a serious topic for our youth to really examine

    I am proud of Shaq for showing that he cares for our youth. They need to see a person who is a public figure reach out to the common teenager. They need role models who can tell them the truth, speak out and help them, they need it. A lot of our youth are careless about what they eat, what they watch on tv, the kind of games they play. I was impressed with this show, I hope that it continue but some of the choice words used could have been changed, kids need an example of using proper language in all circumstances, even when they are frustrated or angry. I am a living example of it being raised in a godly atomsphere, where my parents didn't use bad words. It can be done but the real issues for this show were really good.

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