Like many Americans, I have watched The Biggest Loser, and been both fascinated and impressed with how the participants are able to change their bodies so dramatically in such a short amount of time. The only problem with the show is that I don't think it demonstrates a healthy way to treat obesity. The training techniques are extreme, painful, and set up the participants up for a series of potential medical problems like exercise-related injuries down the road.
Furthermore, the exercise programs are designed as a kind of military boot camp experience that, aside from being stressful, seems like a very unpleasant way to live. And this is precisely why so many people cannot stay with these kinds of exercise programs and soon give up their gym memberships after the first week.
Research on health and longevity instead suggests that moderate exercise that is enjoyed is the most beneficial. If people truly enjoy their exercise they are more apt to stay with it. Exercise should not be extreme. In fact, extreme sports can be dangerous and lead to physical injuries that last a lifetime.
One of the greatest determining factors as to whether a person remains healthy is education. In fact, educated people consistently show better health, perhaps because educated people are more apt to eat better. They often exercise moderately while remaining active and intellectually curious well into their senior years; all traits we associate with health and longevity.
http://health.nytimes.com/ref/health/healthguide/esn-exercise-ess.html
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