All reports state that most of our kids are overweight and will continue to be overweight if something is not done now. I believe a show featuring preteens or teens would be beneficial to all current viewers and draw in a large mass of new viewers. They can show the best ways to handle meals including school lunches with friends, after school snacks, and all other ways to not only eat healthy but in correct proportion for their age group. Some other issues that could be addressed is self esteem, time management, peer pressure, and how to get mentally and physically motivated to become healthier and happier adults. In addition I believe the show could give examples of fun and exciting way to motivate children away from the couch. Not to mention ideas that parents may not have thought of. I myself have a 10 year old overweight daughter. She is a only child with no "playmates" within our neighborhood. I have searched the Internet time and time again for fun exercises to keep her interested and active with out friends. But I continue to see mostly the statics with very little inspirational ideas for how to help keep her up and moving. I would love have the opportunity for her to additions, if the show would consider the idea. Can everyone help me in letting Biggest Loser shows us they care not only the health of adults but about our children's health too?

They had a "special" with high school kids that totally stunk.

Uh I am a fan of the show and well I have been dying to ask this. I am only 16 but I want to be on the biggest Loser so I was wondering if one of these days there could be a teens special. But I would like to be in it also. I want to show the world that a teenager can do as good as anyone on the biggest loser

Apply to be a contestant on the regular show. You can never tell, they may choose you for the same reason they chose Jerry. You fit a specific group. They could either pick you that way or by the time you make it through the selection process, you'll be 18 or older.

But I do not want to wait 2 years. In that much time I do not know what I will do.

Start a weight loss program on your own or get some help from your school system. I'm sure the gym teacher would give you some advise if you asked.

Hey I wanted to express my self and say that they should do a season with teens. I know if they did one I would for shure want to be on it. Can someone give me there views of this topic and let me know what you think?

I think it's a good idea. An age range of say 15-19 would be good or even 12-19. I think a lot of the annoying drama of the adults could be replaced by discussions of the pressures of overweight teens.

I think it would be great because children can cry alot easier than adults and thats a big part of this show or so it seems.

I really think putting a child on a diet in such a high pressured situation (ie., reality TV show) is a bad idea. Given their nutritional needs and the emotional aspects of being a child, it would be terrible to put them in an arena where they might be made to feel abnormal. Ultimately parents have to figure out how to personalize their childs weight loss in order to keep them safe and avoid having them develop eating disorders.

As for the statistics, you have to take them with a grain of salt, because most statistics are based on a small group of people who are supposed to represent society as a whole. Most of us know this is unrealistic.


As for your daughter... She has you! you can play with her. I bet you she would love that. Bike riding, going to the park, hopscotch, those are all things kids love to do. Seriously studies have shown that eliminating a lot of the excess junk and getting the kids to play more will help them lose weight.

Good points, especially the last one. Unless the household only has one parent who works 12-16 hours a day, there's no excuse why parents shouldn't be more involved with their kids as it relates to health and exercise. Bike riding and walking are two good exercises, and preparing healthy meals will go a long way to reducing the risks that children become overweight, IMO. Also, limiting the kids' time to watch tv can also go a long way too.

Did you really just state that the pressure would be too much for the teens to endure. Really come on now. Do you not have an overweight child? The ridicule and the peer pressure these children receive on a day to day basis is much more damaging then show where the goal is not only to better their physical appearance but their emotional needs also. You said it would not be a good idea because they might feel abnormal. Most of these children feel abnormal in their own skin everyday. The children need to see what the nutritional needs are for their age. Put it on a show right there in front of them. It's better than them sitting there watching violence on another station. I believe part of the season could show the emotional aspects of being a overweight teen and how to deal with various situations. I believe the show could be beneficial to not only the contestants but to the teen viewers. I definitely believe the pros would out weight the cons here. I believe a lot of people underestimate the teens today.

I think all teenagers would be way to much drama and crying and complaing and would just get annoying.. but i dont think it would be too much stress.. like the show "shaq'a big challenge"... with overweight kids...

i always liked the idea of competing as teams in age groups... maybe like undder 25... 26-40... and 40+... or whatever.. just to see kinda what its like... sounds neat to me anyways

Let's be realistic, most fat kids don't get ridiculed on a daily basis. Bullies tend to tease people they perceive as weak. They feed off of a persons insecurites, whether it be their overweight, too skinny, too tall, or too smart. I grew up with a number of overweight boys and girls (one was a cheerleader) and they were very popular and no one ever teased them. You know why? Because they had value and self worth and never let being overweight stop them from doing what they wanted. What we should really be asking ourselves is why these kids are feeling abnormal? Why haven't their parents taught them to love themselves? That is the true issue.

Being overweight is not a disease. Americans are so weight biased, were developing into a nation of crash dieters. We have 9 year old anorexics for godsake! This was absolutely unheard of when I was growing up. Where are our kids learning this? From us! I don't care how nicely you do it, putting you're kid on TV because he's overweight is just asking for trouble and will lead to self esteem issues.

Ultimately, a person, teen or adult, can only change if they want to. Biggest loser can not help you lose weight unless you want to, and I can only imagine the emotional scars a kid would have if they went on TV and lost a lot of weight, and then put it back on.

I would be vehemently opposed to a teen reality show! I think there is far too much leeway with kids being exploited on television as it is. I have worked in psych centers with children/teens for a living and I think exploring "therapy" issues on television is an extreme amount of exploitation for kids who are not old enough to say NO to adults when they are told to talk about things they are uncomfortable with.

Consenting adults signing up for reality shows is one thing, and as an adult and TV watcher hopefully you undertsand what you are getting into regarding loss of privacy. I think children need to be protected from that kind of media invasion.

Call me conservative, but I think it's wrong and I think laws should be passed to protect minors from this. If the current contestants reported distress on their MySpace blogs about this messageboard and others (and they have, by the way, if you haven't read them), what impact would having your private life/struggles up for ridicule by a bunch of strangers do???

I think it would be a terrible idea and sets the kids up for a lot of psychological trauma having their lives invaded and up for public consumption that way. Do camps/seminars for teens, yes, but don't film them. There HAS to be line in reality TV.

Gotta agree here. Seen all the controversy Kid Nation has caused? Not to mention all of the nasty things said about one of the kids on there. She may have acted in a way that deserved it, but she was just a kid. Kids do stupid things and act immature, you should not broadcast that for the world to ridicule. It is a complex in the making. Imagine how screwed up they could get if after the show they gained back weight? Kids can be downright nasty, and that is just making it that much easier. "Hey fatty, looks like even TBL can't fix your fat ___" You really want that to happen?

There is absolutely no reason to put kids on a weightloss show to teach kids about weight loss. What happened to being a parent?!?! Have we really become so dependant on technology that we now expect the TV to raise our children? And you're using "only child, no kids in the neighborhood" as an excuse for why your daughter is overweight? So you expect everyone but yourself to take responsiblity for your child? GMAB!

Your daughter is ten years old, stop buying her junk food, and make her go outside and play. In other words, be a parent. You can even go with her, to set an example. My daughter is also an only child, and we didn't meet anyone in the neighborhood until fall, but that didn't stop us from going outside eveyday when the weather was nice. Take her to a park, she can meet other kids there. Stop making excuses for why your child is having a problem with her weight, because there is nothing a TV show is going to do for her that you shouldn't have already been doing yourself. In fact, maybe TV is the problem. Turn it off, and get some fresh air, it will do you both some good.

In an odd turn of events, two times in two days we completely agree on something. Bring back personal responsibility and accountability! I find TBL inspiring, but I also KNOW that I don't need a TV show to get myself in shape.

There is actually a new series coming out that deals with teens and weight loss it's called "Student Body" looks like an amazing show.

Yes, much better to leave them get bigger and bigger until they're old enough for the BL. Are you a casting director or what?

Uh no... I'm a realistic person who understands that exploiting a child is not the answer to helping them lose weight. Biggest loser is not a cure all for overweight people. The fact that contestants past and present continue to struggle with weight issues prove that.

I just think it would be boring, myself. I have no interest in watching pre-teens and teenagers on the show at all.

I know I wouldn't watch it, for one.

I agree. If anything, they should put a BL show on Nickelodeon.... Hello....They can replace Zoey 101 with a BL program.

Zoey 101 will be off the air for about 9 months or so.

What about a show for overweight teens and their parents? Help the teens learn how to eat, exercise and lose weight, have classes for the parents on how to prepare healthy meals, and how to be a good parent.

Are you saying people with overweight children aren't good parents?

i don't really think that's what was meant..
more along the lines of showing parents things they may not have known about living healthier... getting tips/ideas to better not only their lives, but also their children....
i mean, I'm only 20, and I think theres a lot of things not only I, but my parents could learn about living healthier lives... ways to manage.. easy meals at home and at home workouts that minimize time... i think thats more along the lines of what VBARKLEY was meaning if I'm not mistaken

Yes.

No, what I meant was, actually all parents can use some coaching now and then. But parents who have kids with any kind of problem, for instance, being overweight, would benefit from counselling, training and support. Most parents who have an overweight child are at a loss at how to encourage them, without making them feel worse about themselves, without intending to.

My main point was, you can't send kids on a show like this, then not expect them to fall back into bad habits once they are back with their parents. They may be eating because of emotional issues stemming from family stress. Teach the parents how to be good trainers, encouragers and examples, then teens would have a greater chance at success.

For instance, if you have a kid with a disability, you can't expect the school to do all the work, and expect that child to behave like everyone else when they get home every day. No, you as a parent have to learn about the problem, and make modifications to benefit that child.

My sister was overweight from about the time she was 4. My mom took her to doctors, counsellors, joined Weight Watchers with her, but I think mainly my mom was just at a loss to help her. She came from the Depression generation, the clean your plate generation, where a fat child was a healthy child. By the time my sister was a teenager, my parents came to realize that 'baby fat' just wasn't going to melt off. They tried everything they knew, but nothing worked. Maybe there was something else they could have done, approached my sister in a different way, but they just didn't know how.

Conversely, my grandmother was always yelling that I was too skinny. If she could only see me now.

Thanks krwhite3. You said it much more eloquently than me.

I believe it was Abc who teamed up with Shaq for Shaqs Big Challenge, it had young kids on there to lose weight and they all did great.

Here is an interesting article, Many parents of fat kids in denial, study finds.

I see what you're saying, but is being overweight really so horrible that we have to put a child under a microscope? Overweight kids, struggle with their weight and a lot of them have dieted and been put on diets, and have had their parents watch everything that goes into their mouth, for Godsake, do we really want to add a couple million more people to help? I know people say oh health...health...health, but I sometimes wonder if the real issue is body image.

I would agree I don't think it would be wise having a children on a BL type of show. I just don't thinks need to be exposed to that sort of thing. I also don't have children so honestly I wouldn't enjoy it if they did.

With all that said I grew up in the same sort of situation. Only child in a neighborhood where my mom and I were the youngest on the block. However I was much healthier and active as a child then I am now. Why? Because my mom made me go outside and play,even with no other kids around. I had a few friends from school that would come over and we would play outside. I had a bike,roller skates,jump rope and rules regarding how much tv time was allowed.

I don't know your finances so I cant say go out and buy those things if you cannot truly afford them. Of course a jump rope isn't all that expensive. Your child looks to you to guide her. So guide,remember what you used to play with as a child. Limit her tv and internet time. At ten I was allowed 2 hours of tv time a day. Thats not a lot. I used it well. I got three hours on the weekends(by my mom).

As far as food goes what do you have in the house? Is it processed,easy snacks or is it a variety. Are you making the right choices. Children(or so I am told) learn from example. So how much time do you spend going outside just playing with her? Is she involved in any classes like dance,gymnastics,ice skating?

She's 10 and still has room to grow. I would not emphasize losing weight to her as much as I would a healthy lifestyle.

I didn't keep that up and now I am overweight and dealing with health issues that have floored me.

I don't think a BL for kids is the ultimate answer. I think you are.

W~

ps: now on the down side when I spent weekends with my dad he let anything go. I still had a bike there though and he and I rode every night after supper.

Hi, My name is Dalton Jones and im currently attending high school in South Carolina. I am an avid watcher of the Biggest Loser show and I have an idea. Since it is proven statistic that children of america are not going to live past there parents. I think it would be awesome to have a show with just teenagers. If this idea was approved i would loved to be the first one because im 6 4' and 330 lbs and im tired of half living life. But i dont think i can fully live my life until i lose weight. It has caused me lots of pain through-out School and through life in general. Please respond to this with comments, concerns, or suggestions.

Hi Dalton, I think that this has been brought up before but there's a lot of concern about minors being exploited by the cameras, so I think those of us who are older are a little worried about the effects of filming it.

That is great that you want to take control of this while you are young, though! What resources do you have? The YMCA is pretty great about getting kids involved with weight training and fitness.....or is there a counselor at your school that could help you?

On the show, Jillian Michaels says she was overweight as a teen and her mom got her involved in martial arts, which was a turning point for her. Are any of those things available to you?

Running is also a great activity to start with if you don't have membership to a gym or can't play sports....all you need is a great pair of shoes. Coolrunning.com has a couch to 5K (3 miles) program that is really effective, and if you combine that with diet, the weight will come off.

I'm sure some others will have some suggestions....what ideas besides the show have you thought you might try?

Hang in there - I struggled in high school with my weight as well, so I know how you feel. It CAN be managed, though.

Yes, i definatly love to exericise. I got involved in Football and lost 40 lbs but then i had to quit because i moved schools but the hardest past for me is dieting. School lunch is not really, "Healthy!". Plus, My mother loves sweets so she keeps the house stocked which also makes it harder. I try to ride my bike everyday and walk too. But i think that if i was able to get away for the house and go to the show it would help me tremendously to escape all the temptations until i became strong enough to resist. I think the show could help me do that. Im not really sure what exploit means but if it will help me become a better and healthier person im up for it anyday.

Hello Dalton. I am writing this for my son since he has the desire to try out for Biggest Loser as well. I agree with you in the fact that a Teen edition would be great.

The child obiesity epidimic of today is out of control. I don't think a show like this would be an exploit, it would actually be a way to educate not just the contestants but also the viewers. Heck, if Kid Nation can be a hit I'm sure a Teen edition for Biggest Loser would be bigger.

My son Tivo'd tonights episode to watch with his mother since they talked about trying out as a team if another team edition was offered. Although I'm not sure if he would be allowed to since he is only 14.

It would be nice to have someone possibly let us know if a future episode is being considered for Teens. You would be amazed as to how much feedback you would get from the teens who could certianly use a boost of confidence from somone outside of thier home to help them.

Dalton if you feel like contacting my son, feel free to PM him here. This account was set up for him for the purpose of education and motivation. He has a strong support group from his family but needs more. Maybe the 2 of you can talk and help each other.

James Veals

I would think watching the show now would be a big boost for teens. Or at least a warning of how you could end up as an adult. My advice is to not wait around for a teen edition - get started today!

Ideas for New Contestants, Teenagers for The Biggest Loser

I honestly think that one of the next Biggest Loser's should be a teen one. I think that they should make one for teens from age fourteen-eighteen. A lot of teenagers have a weight problem. Not all are extremely overweight, but some are. I think that would be a great season. It would teach some teenagers the seriousness of weight problems. I don't watch The Biggest Loser that much anymore, but I would definitely watch that season. I was watching American Idol, and I was inspired because of this one girl, who was sixteen, and half the size of her mother, who was extremely overweight, she can't even walk on her own. I feel bad for all these teenagers. It would be a heart-wrenching season, but a truly amazing one.

For some reason I don't think that a teen BL will work. While I agree that childhood obesity is a huge problem, simple finances would probably dictate that a show of that magnitude wouldn't work. For the same reason that the wedding specials only seemed to be two episodes (I caught the replays on Style TV, but seemed like they were only 2 shows). It marketed a niche market, the couples who were newlyweds or planning a wedding. The target audience for the Biggest Loser seems to be the 25-49 age crowd, maybe higher, and I would assume that the average age for a BL avid watcher has be near 35-40. Hence the contestants so far vary in age but are completely relatable to the viewers at home. Having a show with teenagers would turnoff a lot of viewers, it would seem more likely on a MTV type channel. That's why this season seems to be relatively successful since each couple represents another relatable market of the viewing public.

I am a teenage female who watches the Biggest Loser. I feel like there should be a biggest loser for teenagers. For I am overweight and feel that "Wow! Those people can loose weight, learn how to eat healthy, and excercise properly. Why can't I?" Teenagers can loose weight and start out their adulthood more healthy. And I feel like teen years are very important. People tease and judge one another at school and its horrible. Everyone needs a little bit of a push now and then. And i want that! PLEASE HELP ME MAKE THAT POSSIBLE. I WANT A PUSH. I WANT TO BE ON THE FIRST SEASON OF THE BIGGEST LOSER TEEN EDITION! AND I WILL DO IT!

I think showing kids under age 18 on reality tv is wrong, period. I believe there are laws against child exploitation too, so that would be a very dicey line to cross.

I think contacting the YMCA, Youth Services, Big Brothers/Sisters and other organizations geared towards kids getting fit in their communities is a great idea, though! I used to be a Youth Services counselor, and if you are a teen seeking mentoring or help, look them up in your yellow pages, they can totally help. If there was enough interest at a school, maybe it could be a group effort! Biggest Loser is a good program but it's not the only answer to how people can transform their lives/bodies.

If you're a fit adult and have the time, consider doing that for a kid. If you're a kid that wants this kind of transformation, make some calls to these organizations! Make it happen!

I don't think it's a good idea either. I think maybe taking some overweight teen/kids to the campus and educating them about the dangers of being overweight and what they can do now to be healthy would be a good thing (not for a whole season obviously). Provide these kids with the tools they need to be healthy.

I think the current "game" would be awful for kids to go through.

Hi everyone,
My name is Ryan, and the other day i was thinking that the biggest loser has had the singles, and couples now, but what about teens? I do enjoy watching these wonderful contestants try and change there lifes, well actually work on extending their lives. I thought that since all the people are over 18 and what not that there should be one for younger kids. If you think, kids who are obese grow up to be obese adults, 70% at that. Think about it though, what if those kids didnt survive, got to over weight and didnt get the chance to say i want to be on the biggest loser, I want to change my life. I think that we can change the way obese children live today, if they see that other obese kids want to change their lifes and survive maybe just that might get them into shape and let them live longer. You never know, one of these kids could be something in life, but if their over weight and have heart attacks or diabeties or anything to that effect it holds back their dreams and makes it more difficult. Im 16 years old and i see a bunch of obese kids and teens, and seeing this is sad knowing that they might not be able to make it to the biggest loser. So here i stand trying to make a point that we need to help teens who are over weight and get them on the right track to fitness. I also thought that kids who are fit should help them out. like be the trainers and show them how they stay fit. I thought i should just voice my opinion, and if they were to do a show of this sort i would love to be a trainer and help these teens out.

-Ryan[/font][/font]

How about a show for kids 8 to 12 years old. You could get Mauri Povich to find them as he has fat kids on his show all the time.
Can you see Jillian yelling at some kids and getting them to cry.

perhaps some of the contestants have fat teens at home, and the knowledge the contestants (past and present) obtain will enable the fat teens to loose as well.

There are countless ways to encourage people to lose weight other than going on a reality show. You can't wait around to be a contestant, you can learn so much from the show the way it is now. So put down the remote, get off the couch, turn off the computer, unplug the video games and get moving! C'mon, let's all do it. It'll be fun!

I think that they should do one. I wish I had an opporunity like that when I was a teenager because I was overweight and teased mercilessly about my weight. I actually dropped out of highschool because of the teasing. My grades were great, but I couldn't take the teasing anymore. So I ran away. I know there are other kids out there probably doing the same thing and the problem with childhood obesity is growing bigger. It's not just a problem with adults.

I wish the makers of the Biggest Loser would come up with a way to help kids, or maybe a parent/child season. I for one would love to go with my daughter and change our lives. My daughter wanted to do Shaq's big challenge but I am not sure that they will have another. Please if any writer's read this consider doing something for kids.

i agree that reality shows with kids are generally a bad idea. the situation could be traumatic and have long-term negative effects on the kids. just my 2 cents.

as far as the obesity epidemic in kids in the U.S. - I understand it, but at the same time it confuses me. I'm an overweight adult, but was a very active kid and never had a weight problem as a child. I understand that kids today are probably eating more fast food and playing more video games or whatever, but i don't really think that's an excuse. The kids in my extended family all play tons of sports and they never have the time to plop down in front of the T.V. I see my brothers family - a family where both parents work 60-80 hours per week, yet the kids are not sedentary. They play soccer, dance, ski, kayak...the kids are always doing SOMETHING! It's up to the parents to make sure that happens.

I know my weight gain as an adult is my own fault.... but there is no excuse for letting it happen to children. Again just my 2 cents, but i think feeding kids fast food and junk and just unacceptable - i don't buy financial issues as an excuse either - if you get creative, healthy food can be cheap.