An investigation into the Biggest Loser

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Abstract

We live in a modern society that rejects certain individuals whose body shape or size doesn’t conform into our modern world’s archetypical ideologies, values and beliefs. This report investigates on how the manipulating media persuades pre- adolescents and adolescents that there is only one healthy and acceptable body type. This particular society accepted body type being the glorified “thin” which goes hand in hand with the Weight Centred paradigm. However, HAES studies potently disagree and challenge these praised views and beliefs for “HAES advocates generally do not believe the same narrow weight range or BMI range is maximally healthy for every individual” (W Wayt Gibbs 2005).After analysing and deconstructing the very popular television series of The Biggest Loser final recommendations have been made regarding how the “popular media influences the weight management behaviours and choices of adolescents” as well as, “how do these contribute to quality of life and life expectancy”.

Introduction

2.1 Background

It is generally agreed in today’s society, propagation of media potentially places undue pressure on youth. Common negative stigma associated with the terms “weight”, “overweight”, “obese” and their perceived equivalence to a state of health is believed to result in negative or risk taking decisions and behaviours. This issue is considered significant due to the pervasive and ubiquitous nature of information presentation and consumption. This research is specified component of the Health Education syllabus at Palm Beach Currumbin State High School. Its purpose is to identify the presence of a significance influence.

2.2 Purpose

The purpose of this report is to investigate, analyse and deconstruct a s...

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http://www.healthyweightnetwork.com/living.htm

(Adapted from the book Underage and Overweight: Our Childhood Obesity Crisis – What Every Family Needs to Know, 2005. Copyright 2008, 2004, by Francie M. Berg)

The Daily Telegraph, January 18, 2010

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/biggest-loser-is-one-big-danger/story-e6freuy9-1225820581999

“(New realease, 19 April 2010)

http://tencorporate.com.au/lib/pdf/2010TheBiggestLoserTipsTheScales.pdf

Unknown, Oct 15, 2009

http://caloriecount.about.com/biggest-loser-debate-b346265

Michael P. Levine | Sarah K. Murnen

http://www.atypon-link.com/GPI/doi/abs/10.1521/jscp.2009.28.1.9

Linda Bacon

http://www.haescommunity.org/

National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia). 'Dietary guidelines for children and adolescents in Australia':

http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/dietsyn.htm

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