?The Biggest Loser? is one of the most popular challenge shows on the tube for the simple reason that many people are now overweight and thus want to get inspired by other obese people to also lose all that unhealthy flab.

The ?The Biggest Loser? reality franchise is such a hit that it?s been replicated all over the televiewing world, with its Asian edition now telecasting on local TV screens.

We caught the new show recently, and were gratified to see that its four Filipino bets were doing well in the competition. Also, a plus factor was the fact that the tilt was tightly paced, and offered an engaging mix of racial, behavioral and societal types, the better for diverse niche audiences around the region to empathize with.

It was similarly impressive that the tilt clearly meant business, with all of the contestants being pushed to work really hard to shed the mega-pounds that had accumulated on their bodies for decades.

As a result, everybody lost weight, with the most determined players dropping more than 10 kilos in only a couple of weeks? time. Clearly, the competition isn?t for slackers?as some contestants sadly found out, when they were the first players to be voted out of the competition.

As the number of players drops, the competition shifts into even higher gear, thus encouraging viewers to root for their emerging ?favorites.? We hope, too, that as the contestants trim down and look decidedly better, they will inspire thousands of overweight viewers to similarly get off their ?couch kamote? butts and start their own diet and exercise regimens.

No laughing matter

Fat people may be objects of disparaging humor and even derision in these parts, but the truth is, obesity is no laughing matter. So, ?The Biggest Loser? should be making viewers more aware, active and health-conscious all over the world.

The latest cautionary note has been struck by new statistics that indicate that American kids are now fatter and heavier than they?ve ever been. Since the American diet and lifestyle are aped all over the world, the new childhood obesity statistics could also apply to other youths in different parts of the globe?so, parents and educators should be concerned, if not alarmed.

Bottom line

Shows like ?The Biggest Loser? can teach young people that laziness and unhealthy eating habits can result in serious medical problems in the future. To assure a good, healthy life, young people should acquire enlightened eating and exercise habits now, while there?s still time.

The bottom line is, the biggest loser wins, while the indolent and ravenous ?couch kamote? could be left holding the body bag. Overweight youths and adults alike, start losing weight and save your life now.