Is the Biggest Loser really helping?

The 2007-08 National Health Survey found that 61 percent of the Australian population is overweight or obese making us one of the most overweight nations on the world. Despite the increasing popularity of weight-loss programs such as The Biggest Loser, we don't seem to be getting the message.

A recent survey conducted by SureSlim revealed that 31 percent of "dieters" regain lost weight within six months, 60 percent within 12 months, and 81 percent of people will put weight back on within two years. Why hasn't the all-important message of "lifestyle changes" filtered through?

Dr Terry Schaack, medical director of the California Health & Longevity Institute, where participants in Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss in the US do an introductory boot camp, told AAP there can be an extended period of delay between awareness and action.

"You will see nothing in national figures for probably eight to 10 years after a dramatic incident occurs," he says.

"The US surgeon general went out and told people to quit smoking, I believe it was in '67. A hoard of people quit smoking, and the incidence of heart disease went down 15 or 20 years later. It takes that long."

Critics of extreme weight-loss programs say they promote unrealistic expectations, which set people up for failure. Bariatric surgeon Dr Ted Khalili told AAP he isn't a fan of the reality program.

"Obesity is an epidemic and these shows are trivialising it," he said, adding that the diet and exercise plans are often extreme and unsustainable.

But Dr Khalili said these shows aren't all bad and his patients could take some eating and exercise tips away.

Dr Naras Lapsys, Accredited Practising Dietitian from The Body Doctor in Bondi Junction agrees. Saying that shows like The Biggest Loser represent "completely unrealistic circumstances that 'Jo Average' is never going to be able to follow".

Dr Lapsys says that people become disheartened and give up after only losing the average of 0.5-1kg a week after seeing their favourite contestant lose 7kg in the same amount of time.

However Dr Lapsys does see the positives of reality weight-loss shows, as they "highlight that weight is an issue" and a leading cause of many chronic diseases and offer support networks such as the Biggest Loser online forum.

While the weight-loss results seen on The Biggest Loser are mind-blowing (watch the before and after video above), will they translate to a decrease in the obesity epidemic? Perhaps time will tell.

Your say: Is The Biggest Loser setting a good example?