13 Year Olds on the Biggest Loser

There are going to be 3 young teens (13) competing on the biggest loser this year. What are your thoughts about it? If it was your child, would you allow it?

They won't be eliminated and they won't weigh in on camera but each one will be on a team and their weight loss will affect their team.

I hate to think my child would be in that situation but I also know if it did happen, I would probably do anything I could to ease the pain and ridicule of being that heavy. Especially if I didn't have the resources to make it happen.

Totally shameful and should be illegal! What people won't do to make money, disgusting!

How is it shameful that these kids are going to get amazing resources and encouragement to become healthy children?  This episode/season is shining the light on childhood obesity which is a HUGE issue in the US. 

Honestly, I think it's a great idea. Child obesity is no joke, and it grows more and more everyday especially with the plethora of unhealthy food options out there, parents busy schedules to cook healthy, and lack of physical activity when main sources of entertainment are now videogames, watching tv, facebook... everything is sedentary.

They will be able to reach out to a new audience by having kids on the show.  I remember when the MTV show I USED TO BE FAT came on.. it inspired a lot of teens to get out there and get fit. If they can lose weight on the show, and inspire others to do so... what's the harm in that? Also I really like the fact that they wont be eliminated. 

 

Mads

I see the good and the bad. I hope it brings some light to childhood obesity but I hope the children themselves don't get exploited, hurt or anything by being on television. Your whole life changes after being on a reality show, for some it's good. For most it's bad. I also don't really agree with the whole Biggest Loser program/diet. So many former contestants have regained most if not ALL the weight back because they take it off so aggressively and fast that when they go back to the "real world" they can't keep up with maintenance. I don't really know how much of the "head issues" are worked on in that show, and we all know how important it is to be mentally on board & determined.

I just wanted to interject that MOST people who lose weight through diet and exercise gain it back.  The stats say only about 5% will keep it off.  So the reality is it doesn't matter how 95% lose it whether it's WW, Lindora, So Beach, "real world" on their own style etc.

Ms Shell

My thoughts on this and I may get hate for it, but the child should have never got to that point in the 1st place. As a parent you control what your child eats. When they are in school that is a little different, but not so much that they should gain that much without you taking action. Now, rant aside, what is done is done. Something has to be done. If this works for them then great. These children will die if this is not corrected.

No offense taken but as a morbidly obese child (I believe I was like 225-250 at 14) it happens.  My mother took action.  My mother cooked healthy and unhealthy but the hunger that raged inside ME could not be quenched.  I was and still recovering overeater.

Ms Shell

Which I understand. I think when I see a 300 pound child I think of those old Maury shows where the moms just fed the kids anything and everything. The ones that gave in just to not hear them cry. Mostly the ones that just didn't see anything wrong with it.