UAlberta researcher Tanya Berry found that reality TV shows depicting exercise as an ordeal can fuel negative attitudes about physical activity. (Photo: John Ulan)
The Biggest Loser might be a TV ratings winner, but its extreme depiction of exercise is more likely to turn people off than get them off the couch, according to new research from the University of Alberta. Researchers in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation found that watching a short video clip of The Biggest Loser fuelled negative attitudes toward exercise, raising further questions about how physical activity is shown in the popular media. "The depictions of exercise on shows like The Biggest Loser are really negative," said lead author Tanya Berry , Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity Promotion. "People are screaming and crying and throwing up, and if you're not a regular exerciser you might think this is what exercise is—that it's this horrible experience where you have to push yourself to the extremes and the limits, which is completely wrong." In the study, 138 undergraduate students from the U of A were split into two groups. One group watched a seven-minute clip—chosen for its extreme depiction of exercise—from early in The Biggest Loser 's ninth season, when competitors were struggling with obesity. A control group watched a segment from the reality show American Idol . Immediately after viewing the clips, participants from both groups were asked to write down their first five thoughts.
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