 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Biggest Loser
- NBC
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Extreme dieting, Survivor-style; tweens and up.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this reality competition series deals almost exclusively with weight loss and the effects of being overweight. The series emphasizes the benefits of healthy, long-term lifestyle changes related to diet and exercise, but the competitive weight-loss angle could potentially encourage impressionable viewers to slim down quickly without a doctor's supervision. The competitors also recount being made fun of for their size and are forthright about worrying that they might not live long enough to see their kids grow up. Their long separation (up to 100 days) from friends and loved ones could also be hard for sensitive viewers.
What's the story?
In THE BIGGEST LOSER, two teams of extremely overweight contestants compete to see who can lose the most weight in 100 days. The prize? Better health and $250,000. Each episode of Biggest Loser follows the 14 contestants as they learn to eat better, exercise, and maintain healthy habits in their efforts to peel off the pounds. All of the contestants have their own reasons for wanting to win the prize. Some come from obese families and want to stop the cycle for their kids; others were once thin and active and want to regain their fitter form. All of them end up on one of two teams (red and blue), where they work with trainers. Over the course of the competition, the competitors work out, eat right, and participate in a series of challenges. Their goal is to make sure that their team has lost the highest percentage of weight at the weekly weigh-in, since the losing team has to vote one member out.
Is it any good?
Although Biggest Loser lacks some of the sexiness and drama of reality shows like Survivor (to which it bears the most structural resemblance) and The Bachelor, the contestants' constant togetherness (they live, eat, and work out together) means that there are still plenty of times when the going gets tough. When teams lose challenges, they'll often argue fiercely over who caused the loss or didn't work hard enough. Plus, they're constantly tempted by high-calorie foods and are often nauseated by the strenuous daily workouts.
It would be easy for the show's producers to hype the vanity angle of weight loss. But what's nice about The Biggest Loser is that the contestants -- and, therefore, the viewers -- are constantly reminded that the point of losing weight isn't to look like a supermodel, but rather to live longer, healthier lives. The coaches, while tough, are extremely encouraging and sensitive, and the host acts as both a cheerleader and a sensitive mother hen. Though The Biggest Loser is technically a dogged competition, it's also feel-good fare with a message that everyone can benefit from: Eat right and exercise to be healthy, and the weight should take care of itself.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the realities of a world in which thin bodies are prized, fat ones are scorned, and deliciously unhealthy food is more widely available than ever before.
Why is thin so in -- and how do the sculpted celebrity images we see in
the media affect our perceptions of our own bodies? Why are chubby
children teased -- and why do heavy people so often become the butt of
jokes in television and movies?Why do Americans as a whole tend to eat
to excess -- are we really that hungry, or are we eating for other
reasons? What does "everything in moderation" really mean? Are all
diets truly healthy? And is there such a thing as being too thin?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
I love this show! It's great to see the contestants work hard and push themselves so they can change their lives. There is some language (some aduible, some bleeped out) and A LOT of product placement, though.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
I luv!!!!!!!
I luv this show! I've been watching it for seasons, but I think the powerful language from some contestants is bad!
Bob and Jillian are good role models, because they change lives
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Awesome show...
I love this show because it shows people that anything is possible. It is very addicting and I am hooked.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Not the Best, But Pretty Good...
There's really nothing to be concerned about for ages 11 and up. A** is said a few times, but all words s*** and up are bleeped out. No violence or sex. Teaches people to eat healthy and excercise.
Reccommended.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Sick, Disgusting, Cruel, even for a weight loss show! Read my review.
I watched this show, and thought it was okay. However, later, an overweight man was doing level two on the treadmill and his trainer started yelling at him (and saying f***) and telling him that what he was doing was no good. He said that he knows his body's level and how to push himself, but the trainer kept swearing and yelling until the man got off and said "You know, nobody talks to me like that!" and left. I thought the trainer was being mean (I know they're supposed to push the person, but she was being mean about it.). Also, they made the people play cards and gamble with fatty foods. Whoever had the highest card wins, and the others in the game must EAT all of the calories they bet (It got up to over 2,000!)! They did this because whoever won got to pick the teams! That's so horrible! Many people said no and that that's just not worth it. I thought they wanted to help them lose weight, not gain it! Why not do a helthy challenge! It was horrible. It was disgusting. Why do that to these people who are trying so hard? It was interesting to watch and entertaining and suspenseful but still! UGH!!!
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
October 11, 2009
AGE
Great Show,one of my favorites!
A very good show that teaches kids and adults what happens when you aren't careful of what you eat. there is some cuss words by Jillian,Bob and some contestents but mostly it is bleeped out. there is also some noticable products Subway,Ziplock,Quaker oatmeal,Etc.over all a great show that teaches you the importance of good exercise and eatting balanced diets.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Tween+ Magic
This is an awesome show because it teaches tweens about the inportance of eating healthy and exercising. And I think it;s a beautiful thing to watch contestants slim down, not only on the outside, but in the inside. Although, I don't think kids under 11 should watch it because they would take it too seriously and you don't want your six-year old to get exposed to the idea that it's SO easy to get obese, they'd overreact to it. But if your old enough to handle it, it;s a great show. I love watching it with my dad and mom, and it really inspired my mom to start eating healthier (she used to be overweight) when she saw what the contestants were going through, and she lost thirty pounds by herself after improving habits and began exercising, I'm so proud of her, she's healthy now, and just as beautiful on the outside as I know she's been all along in the inside :)
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Motivational show, but not for young girls with developing body image
This show is fantastic. Even for non-overweight people, it can be such an inspiration seeing the extent these people are willing to push themselves to. I know there's been times I've been watching it at the gym, and it's the reason I run that extra mile! The only reason I don't give it a younger age rating is because of the sensitivity of young girls to issues of weight and body image. While it does send out positive messages and promotes a healthy lifestyle, a show focused entirely on weight loss runs the risk of making girls feel inadequate if they aren't losing weight or are otherwise unhealthy. For those with assured body image or who understand healthy weight loss, this show is a definite go.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Cencored language, very inspirational, anyone can watch
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Good messages, but more for tweens
a few swear words, normally bleeped. They have some talk about alcohol but nothing suggestive about it. But there are very educational messages.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | NBC |
| Cast: | Ajay Rochester, Bob Harper, Jillian Michaels |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
