Scientific and Ethical Evaluation of Obesity Weight Loss Competition Programs Broadcasted in the Media

Abstract

Obesity is a multi-factorial chronic disease, which decreases the quality of life and it spreads very fast all over the world. Today, particularly in the developed countries, obesity prevention policies have been developed and national action plans are prepared. In our country “Healthy Nutrition and Active Life Program” was also implemented by Ministry of Health. Under the title of “Interventions for obesity prevention” of the national program, supporting adequate and balanced nutrition and active life in media news and advertisements are considered. Two main targets are stated for this item. To update legal arrangements on food advertisements and introductory activities took place in the media and to encourage broadcasting of the informative scientific programs on adequate and balanced diet and physical activity. Within this scope, evaluating weight-loss competition programs that appear on TV channels from scientific and ethic aspects and to present advices for preparing legal regulation that required on this issue are targeted. Weight-loss competition programs that were sometimes broadcasted in media and internet web sites are not only based on scientific facts but also ethical issues.