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Dietitians complain about TV weight-loss series
SMC
Alert
18/11/08
smc@sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Dietitians complain about TV weight-loss series
TV3's weight-loss
series, Downsize Me ended recently amid controversy over the
accuracy of some of the nutritional information, and the
approach taken by the presenters in promoting the weight
loss.
The New Zealand Dietetic Association, who
recently met with presenter Damian Kristof to outline their
concerns, currently have several complaints pending with the
Broadcasting Standards Authority.
Downsize Me
screened in prime time on TV3 and was produced by ABH
Productions.
We asked nutrition experts, who have
been involved in making the complaints, to comment on the
show, and to highlight some of their
concerns.
Nikki Talacek is a Registered Dietitian,
she works with one of New Zealand's leading weight loss
surgeons Michael Booth and provides dietary advice to obese
patients undergoing bariatric (weight loss) surgery. She
comments:
"Downsize Me is a show that I'm sure most
people have heard about. Like all shows, it has its good
points and its not so good points.
"I think it is
always nice to start with the good. Downsize Me has brought
awareness to the growing obesity epidemic, and the need for
everyone to stand up and take notice. Obesity can cause an
array of health problems, including Type 2 diabetes and
heart disease, so the more awareness that is brought to this
issue, the better. Downsize Me also encourages people to
move away from convenience based foods and takeaways and
back into cooking, which any dietitian will tell you is a
good thing.
"Unfortunately, though, there are some
not so good points to the show, which cause great concern to
dietitians. Many of these are based on sweeping statements
made by the host Damian Kristof. Several of these statements
are only backed up by small isolated studies, with the
majority of the scientific research available showing
results contrary to his beliefs.
"Overall I think
Downsize Me could potentially cause undue alarm to viewers
because Damian promotes the idea that sugar can cause Type 2
diabetes (which is incorrect); recommends excess amounts of
weight loss (which is inappropriate); creates the impression
that the participant has to stop eating carbohydrates
altogether otherwise they will get diabetes (which is
inaccurate); and suggests that participants can reverse the
diabetes they already have (which is not possible through
dietary change alone). Further, his promotion of coconut oil
for cooking is not advisable, as this oil is high in
saturated fatty acids. My primary concern, though, is that
Damian often gives advice which is contrary to Ministry of
Health guidelines regarding healthy eating, and this can be
very confusing for the public."
Kath Fouhy is a
Registered Dietitian with a degree from the University of
Otago. She is a leader in the field of nutrition and
dietetics, currently working as a nutrition consultant. She
comments:
"Around two thirds of New Zealand adults
are classified as overweight or obese, which means that it
has now become 'abnormal' to be a healthy weight. More
frightening is that one third of our children are classified
as overweight or obese, and it has been predicted that this
generation may be the first to not out live their
parents.
"With health conditions such as obesity,
diabetes and heart disease constantly in the news, many
science-trained individuals are joining forces and trying
their best to do something about it. However, everyone has
an opinion on food, which has lead to a lot of contradictory
information in the media. It seems that every time I pick up
a women's magazine, search the internet, or turn on the TV,
I get told something different: no carbs, low carbs,
low-fat, fruit only until lunch time, 2 litres of water a
day, don't snack.....it is no wonder people get
confused.
"The recent series of Downsize Me
inspired many people to get off the couch and turn their
lives around, but it was a shame to see that in the last
show that many of the participants had regained some of
their weight, when they probably should have been still
losing it.
References
1. The
Evidence Based Best Practice Guidelines (of New Zealand)
Management of Type 2 Diabetes 2003
2.
Institute of Medicine (IOM). Dietary Carbohydrates: sugars
and starches. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy,
Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein,
and Amino Acids. National Academies Press, Washington
(2002)
3. Janket SJ, Manson JE, Sesso H,
Buring JE, Liu S. A prospective study of sugar intake and
risk of type 2 diabetes in women. Diabetes Care. 203;
26(4):1008-15
4. Understanding Nutrition
7th Edition 1996, pg 277 (Chapter 8 Energy Balance and Body
Composition). Whitney EN, Rolfes
SR
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