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I Want to Save Your Life

(Rated NR, Reality TV, Starring Charles Stuart Platkin, Where to watch: WE)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Diet interventions are compassionate and realistic.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 11 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The series highlights the idea that physical and emotional balance is an important part of developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Some people talk about gaining weight when trying to cope with divorce, custody battles, the death of loved ones and other issues. Platkin's subjects are both male and female.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    Mild references to looking beautiful and feeling sexy as they relate to losing weight and the subjects' self esteem.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    The series is a promotional vehicle for Platkin. The Diet Detective uses an Apple Computer. Various fitness centers, including Stayin' Alive Fitness, and food markets like The Fresh Market are clearly visible.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Hard alcohol is shown being dumped out in a sink. Recommendations are offered about lower-calorie alcohol consumption, as well as limiting drinking in order to lose weight.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About I Want to Save Your Life

Parents need to know that this series features a nutrition expert who helps people change unhealthy eating and lifestyle habits in order to lose weight and feel better about themselves. While much of the focus is on weight loss, it also looks at the underlying reasons why people are caught in unhealthy patterns. It also offers positive messages about finding positive balances in our lives initiating changes from within. While the overall series is mild, it does contain some discussions about alcohol consumption. It also contains some brief discussions about some difficult subjects, including divorce, custody battles and other issues that have led to some people's weight gain.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what would motivate people to share their weight-loss journeys on television. Why do you think people are willing to share some of these very personal experiences so publicly? Do you think shows like this really help people lose weight or make healthier habits? Families can also talk about losing weight vs. living a healthy lifestyle. How can someone start rebalancing his/her life in order to look and feel better? Does living a balanced life mean having a healthy body image? Parents, check out our tips http://www.commonsensemedia.org/physical-health for talking to your kids about their physical health and its relationship to the media.
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