Monday, September 22, 2014

More on Why The Biggest Loser Contestants Are Doomed To Fail

I've written a great deal about The Biggest Loser.

I've covered the fact that according to previous contestants the vast majority gain their weight back, I've covered the metabolic slow down that occurs consequent to the show, I've covered the cruelty of the show's inclusion of children, I've covered how watching the show actively discourages viewers from exercising, and I've covered the ethics of being a physician involved in its production.

Today I'll leave you with this tidbit.

In a study published early online last week in the journal Obesity, when compared with matched gastric bypass patients, following their respective losses, contestants on The Biggest Loser had 5x less circulating leptin in their bloodstreams.

Leptin, in case you aren't aware, is one of the body's primary satiety (fullness) hormones.

With 5x less circulating leptin, and metabolisms that are slowed down twice as much as their gastric bypass counterparts', it's no small wonder the majority of The Biggest Loser's contestants are reported to have gained their weights back as it's tough to be a metabolic slug and be hungry.