*Disclaimer-although I do hold a BA in psychology (who doesn't) I am not trained to assess or diagnose clinical or abnormal disorders.
It took all night for me to be able to process what I saw last night. I don't normally watch much television any more. I just don't find it to be very entertaining. But since I am trying to do less work and relax more I decided to watch some network television. Now I have never watched Biggest Loser, and who knew that this was their 14th season! I was like really? How did anyone watch this thing for 14 seasons. But as I watched more of the show it was interesting to watch the interactions of the "contestants". Now I don't support the premise of Biggest Loser because it always seemed like a show that rested on unhealthy weight loss extremes to provide entertainment and not so much in dealing with the emotional, mental, and psychological issues that have lead many of its participants to gain weight.
Regardless, I watched about the last 7 episodes or so and thought it would be exciting to watch the finale while I prepared my smoothies for the next day. I knew that the three finalists would have the most dramatic results as they had the most to "lose". I also figured that the lead contender Rachel Frederickson would most likely have an extreme result as she seemed to be so competitive and determined to win. I figured though that she would tone up and maybe slim down a bit.
What actually appeared was something altogether different. I don't believe in the practice of fat, slim, or skinny shaming but in a competition where one's percentage of weight loss is the deciding factor of whether one succeeds and wins the prize...I think we have finally seen the evidence of what this could really mean. Rachel had a starting weight of 260 and at the end of the show weighed in at 105 lbs at 5'4. Now I know there are issues with BMI, but most focus on the issues at the higher end of scale but I would like to take a look at the lower end classified as underweight. Those numbers as they stand put her at a BMI of 18 slightly under the cut off for healthy range of 19.
But this isn't really about her weight. I see the weight as a physical indicator of bigger individual and social issues within the US. First off, any show that targets weight loss needs to have trained licensed psychologists as a part of the "health" team just as much as they have doctors and trainers. We are holistic beings that cannot be addressed by just fixing one portion, especially not just the physical exterior. There needs to be a holistic assessment of the needs of these individuals as there should be for all.
Cognitive, behavioral, and environmental aspects all effect what we do daily and over the long term. I believe that what occurred on the biggest loser was a combination of a personal desire for control, perfection, and competitiveness combined with a societal standard that praises those very actions and desires while also holding woman at often unobtainable physical standards.
Many are condemning NBC, The Biggest Loser, and Rachel herself for what occurred in the show but really how can you blame someone for doing exactly what was expected of them. Doing what needed to be done to win the prize. Losing the weight to gain back her self confidence. Becoming a thin, thigh-gap toting, woman. Yes, something should have been done by the network, the show, and personally by the contestant but there are so many other factors here that it does not seem fair or helpful to attack Rachel solely. If anything I pretty much agree with those that say she will gain the weight back now that she has "won" the show. What I worry about is the message that is delivered that to "win" you have to go to any extreme necessary. Health and wealth are about more then looking good and having monetary assets.
It's time for a change America.
-Rose
