Skip to main content

Childhood Obesity to Become Focus on “Biggest Loser”

2 min read

By Sponsored

The next season of hit reality show The Biggest Loser will be the first to feature children, according to one of its cast members. Jillian Michaels, the show’s trainer, confirmed that new episodes of the show will have adolescent participants in order to use the show as a battleground against childhood obesity.

“As a former overweight teen, I know firsthand how dramatically weight issues can affect every aspect of a child’s life,” Michaels said in a statement from NBC. “Having recently become a mother of two, I am more passionate than ever about helping empower children and families with the information and resources they need to live a healthier life.”

At least three contestants in the show’s next season will be chosen from candidates ranging in age from 13 to 17. However, the adolescents will be exempt from elimination, unlike the adult participants.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one-third of all children and adolescents in the United States are medically overweight or obese.

The Biggest Loser is a reality television program in which overweight participants work with trainers and dieticians, competing against other participants in a race to lose the most weight. It is aired on NBC, and the network has stated that it hopes the show can help flagging fitness levels among American children and adolescents.

Source: CNN

Sponsored

Contributor

Angela is the editor of Activebeat and is an avid health enthusiast. She’s our source for great fitness and exercise tips and is dedicated to bringing you the breaking news stories each day. From recalls and outbreaks to FDA announcements and alerts, she’ll keep you up-to-date with the most important health news every day.

Children

Explore

Parenting With ADHD: 7 Practical Tips For Success
By Joanne Park, André Plamondon, and Sheri Madigan Children

Parenting With ADHD: 7 Practical Tips For Success

Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often goes undiagnosed in adults — including parents — but it has a significant impact on family life. A parent with ADHD may struggle with time management and staying focused. They may appear to be in control, but their daily life can be chaotic with missed appointments, trouble remembering and enforcing rules […]

Read More about Parenting With ADHD: 7 Practical Tips For Success

5 min read

Screen Time Is Contributing to Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Tweens and Teens — A Pediatric Sleep Expert Explains How Critical Sleep Is to Kids’ Mental Health
By Maida Lynn Chen Children

Screen Time Is Contributing to Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Tweens and Teens — A Pediatric Sleep Expert Explains How Critical Sleep Is to Kids’ Mental Health

With the start of a new school year comes the inevitable battle to get kids back into a healthy bedtime routine. In many cases, this likely means resetting boundaries on screen use, especially late in the evenings. But imposing and enforcing those rules can be easier said than done. A growing body of research is […]

Read More about Screen Time Is Contributing to Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Tweens and Teens — A Pediatric Sleep Expert Explains How Critical Sleep Is to Kids’ Mental Health

5 min read

Positive Parenting Can Help Protect Against the Effects of Stress in Childhood and Adolescence, New Study Shows
By Jamie Hanson and Isabella Kahhalé Children

Positive Parenting Can Help Protect Against the Effects of Stress in Childhood and Adolescence, New Study Shows

The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. The big idea Warm and supportive parenting may buffer against the effects of stress during childhood and adolescence. That is the key takeaway of our recent study, published in the journal PNAS Nexus. Some children and adolescents who experience stressful events such as physical […]

Read More about Positive Parenting Can Help Protect Against the Effects of Stress in Childhood and Adolescence, New Study Shows

3 min read