Is Biggest Loser Age-ist?

by Anne
(Minnesota)

While losing a ton, or at least a hundred pounds has obvious benefits for people in their teens, twenties and thirties, I can't remember seeing too many contestants on Biggest Loser who turned the calendar past 55. Here's the rub. People over 50 (much less 55) are at immediate and serious risk of obesity-related health crises, heart attack being just one of them. And they probably need the most help losing their weight. It's been there longer... and since they don't have those wonderful hormones surging through their systems in bulk any more, it's even harder to lose.

So, are heavy greybeards underrepresented because they're more likely to fail? Or is it all about appearance? Loosing a great deal of weight can leave you with a lot of loose skin. This can be a problem even for younger contestants. It might be downright unphotogenic on someone in later middle age.