As obesity has gradually grown in the UK and the US over recent years, producers have spotted a niche in the television world, previously unexploited.
Programs featuring obese and curvy women and men have been met with an extremely positive response from viewers. Whether it be because viewers are happy to finally see real curvy women and men on their screens, or they are just enjoying the change that’s been brought about, plus-sized TV shows are taking the two countries by storm.
“Drop Dead Diva” shows curvy women in a positive light, highlighting the way they are sometimes mistreated and overlooked because of their size. It starts with a self-centered, size zero model, after dying, being denied the entrance to heaven. In order to redeem herself for her selfish ways, she is brought back to life in the body of the a smart, successful, plus-size lawyer, and thus begins her journey of self-discovery.
“The Biggest Loser” is a competition that sees various overweight people encouraged and worked to shed the most pounds, through a safe diet and exercise, all for the prize money of $250,000. The show has also been brought to the UK, after proving its popularity. It has aired in over 90 countries and has been produced in over 25 countries. It is unscripted, and uses real people to take the viewers on a journey of tears, struggle, joy and success.
A dating show, “More to Love”, is targeted at the plus-sized, showing average looking contestants and sending out the message that you don’t need to be thin to find love. The factor that the show focuses on is peoples personalities.
“Dance Your Ass Off” is another competition for overweight people, however, the weight is lost through dancing. The contestants weekly dance score is combined with the amount of weight they have lost, and that is how it is decided who will go home. Each contestant is paired with a professional dancer, who trains them and guides them in a wide variety of dance genres.
There are many more shows featuring the plus-sized and the overweight. However, the sudden growth in popularity of plus-sized TV is not necessarily a good thing. Whilst it sends a positive message across the world, proving that you don’t need to be thin to be beautiful and successful (contrary to the barrage of size zero advertising and messages to people), it also sends a second message: that it is ok and healthy to be overweight.
Being overweight is never healthy, and increases the risks and your chances of developing illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol etc. Giving people the message that this is ok will only serve to full obesity rates, and create more illness. Therefore, TV producers need to be careful about the exact message that they are sending out to their viewers, and to the world.
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