Reality show faces backlash over ‘disgraceful’ premise: ‘What message is this giving to people?’
A new reality show in the U.K. is facing backlash over its “triggering” fitness-focused premise.
The BBC program, called “The Restaurant that Burns Off Calories,” debuted on April 20 and instantly received criticism from personal trainers and eating disorder awareness organizations, which took issue with the show’s approach to weight loss.
Centered around what the channel calls a “restaurant with a difference,” the show features 20 unsuspecting diners who are invited to a free lunch at a seemingly “normal” restaurant. However, after the contestants start eating, it’s revealed that there’s actually a gym in the back of the restaurant where a “group of fitness fanatics” are working to burn off every calorie the diners consume.
“Will the knowledge [of the gym] change [the diners’] behavior, as the research suggests, or leave a nasty taste in the mouth?” the show’s description reads.
The program was immediately called out by Beat, a U.K.-based eating disorder charity, which tweeted that it had received an increase in calls for help and support following the show’s airing.
Our services have sadly been in high demand tonight due to BBC2 ‘The Restaurant that Burns Off Calories’
We’d really appreciate any support to ensure our services continue to help those affected by #eatingdisorders
If you can please donate or retweet 🙏🏻 https://t.co/L0b4cL8qUk— Beat (@beatED) April 20, 2020
“We know that the myth that all calories eaten must be canceled out through exercise has the potential to be devastating to those suffering from or vulnerable to eating disorders,” Caroline Price, Beat’s director of services, told Insider in a statement. “Being told how much activity it would take to burn off particular foods risks triggering the illness further.”
Meanwhile, the personal trainer and fitness author told Insider that she believes the show promotes “disordered eating,” specifically criticizing the participation of a medical expert, Dr. Zoe Williams.
“It can be extremely triggering for those people who’ve had strong disordered eating thoughts, if not eating disorders,” Price said. “And when you have a doctor adding their name to a show and validating what are harmful practices, I think it goes against the oath that doctors make of doing no harm.”
Others took to Twitter with their criticisms, including journalist Sophie Morris, who called the BBC’s decision to air the program “disgraceful.”
The benefit of leaving the BBC is that I can tweet this. For every 99.9% of great, innovative and informative programming the BBC airs across its platforms, there’s 0.01% that shows disgraceful editorial judgement. Exhibit A: https://t.co/udOh8nmBPH
— Sophie Morris (@itssophiemorris) April 20, 2020
The BBC has also issued a statement responding to the controversy, standing by the program, which it says “never endorses or suggests” consuming less than doctor-recommended calorie intakes.
“The intention of the program was to give viewers information about the latest research into the science of calories, about why our bodies need them and how our bodies use them,” the statement reads.
“In particular, it looked at recent studies by academics in both the U.S. and the U.K., which suggest that diners may make healthier choices when presented with information about how much activity is required to burn off the calorie content of dishes.”
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