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DietTribe

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Starring Jessie Pavelka, Stacy Kaiser, Where to watch: Lifetime Television, Online)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Weight-loss show highlights the importance of friendship.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 12–13

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Women are told to feel good about their bodies -- but at the same time told that they would look better if they lost weight. Still, while losing weight is the show's main focus, it also looks at the importance of friendship and a strong support system while you're trying to do it. Some of the women discuss difficult personal issues, like dysfunctional relationships and long-standing self-esteem problems. The cast is primarily Caucasian.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    The women occasionally sustain injuries (sprained ankles, broken bones) while working out or being physically active, but no blood is ever visible. Arguments between some of the women and the personal trainer, who also jokingly threatens to slap one contestant if she eats fried food.

  • Sex:

    The women make references to feeling sexy, but usually within the context of feeling more confident about their bodies once they begin losing weight. The group takes a "strip for fitness" class to feel more comfortable with their bodies; they perform some mildly provocative moves.

  • Language:

    The term "bad ass" is frequently used. Occasional curse words (like "goddamn") are fully bleeped.

  • Consumerism:

    Most of the women's workouts take place at a Bally Total Fitness center, and the gym's logo is prominently featured. Other Los Angeles commercial establishments like The Blues and Studio DNA are also visible.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    The women are occasionally shown going out and drinking alcohol (mostly beer and wine). After a birthday party, some of them are hung over; one gets sick as a result.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About DietTribe

Parents need to know that while this series -- which follows five best friends as they diet and work out together -- focuses on losing weight, it also highlights how important it is to have friends who can support you during the process. Although the content is relatively mild overall, expect some iffy language (though stronger words are bleeped) and drinking -- at least once to the point of excess. The women also make references to feeling sexy (and even take a "strip for fitness" class), though it's in the context of feeling more secure about their bodies.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the kinds of messages that shows about weight loss send to viewers. Do you think it's better to focus on feeling better about yourself as you are than on losing weight to feel better about yourself? Why or why not? Families can also discuss other ways that weight, diet, and body image are discussed in the media. How do advertisers approach these issues? And what do young viewers take away from dramas that feature glamorously thin people or comedies that sometimes poke fun at people's size? Parents: Check out our tips on some of these subjects.
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