Supersize vs Superskinny
Encyclopedia
Supersize vs Superskinny is a British television programme on Channel 4
that features information about dieting
and extreme eating lifestyles. One of the main show features is a weekly comparison between an overweight person
, and an underweight person
. The two are brought to a feeding clinic, and live together for five days, swapping diets all supervised by Dr Christian Jessen
.
The show also featured Anna Richardson
in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd series, who examined new methods to lose weight by trying diets she finds on the Internet, some of which have shocking side effects. For example, Anna attempted Laser lipolysis
, which went drastically wrong and resulted in severe bruising. Also, she discovered Diabulimia
and spoke to Isabelle Caro, a French actress, renowned for her underweight figure and anorexia
campaign.
During the first series in 2008, one feature involved Gillian McKeith
, who tried to find a way to "ban big bums" in the UK. She tested out different exercises to tone bums on different groups of ladies, and made a leader board for the most effective.
The show started its first series on 22 January and it concluded on 11 March 2008. The second series began on 20 January and concluded in March 2009. The 3rd series ran from 23 March to 18 May 2010. The 4th series began on 29 March 2011 and ended on 17 May 2011. On the 4th episode of the 4th series for the first time ever the diet swap was between two supersizers and two superskinnies.
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
that features information about dieting
Dieting
Dieting is the practice of eating food in a regulated fashion to achieve or maintain a controlled weight. In most cases dieting is used in combination with physical exercise to lose weight in those who are overweight or obese. Some athletes, however, follow a diet to gain weight...
and extreme eating lifestyles. One of the main show features is a weekly comparison between an overweight person
Obesity
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems...
, and an underweight person
Underweight
The term underweight refers to a human who is considered to be under a healthy weight. "Underweight" means weighing less than what is expected to be a healthy person . The definition is usually made with reference to the body mass index . A BMI of under 18.5 is usually referred to as underweight...
. The two are brought to a feeding clinic, and live together for five days, swapping diets all supervised by Dr Christian Jessen
Christian Jessen
Christian Spencer Jessen is an English doctor and television presenter.-Television career:He is best known for presenting Channel 4's Supersize vs Superskinny and Embarrassing Bodies alongside Pixie McKenna and Dawn Harper...
.
The show also featured Anna Richardson
Anna Richardson (presenter)
Anna Clare Richardson is an English presenter, television producer, writer and journalist, as well as author of four books.Richardson was born in Shropshire...
in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd series, who examined new methods to lose weight by trying diets she finds on the Internet, some of which have shocking side effects. For example, Anna attempted Laser lipolysis
Liposuction
Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty , liposculpture suction lipectomy or simply lipo is a cosmetic surgery operation that removes fat from many different sites on the human body...
, which went drastically wrong and resulted in severe bruising. Also, she discovered Diabulimia
Diabulimia
Diabulimia refers to an eating disorder in which people with Type 1 diabetes deliberately give themselves less insulin than they need, for the purpose of weight loss. Diabulimia is not currently recognized as a formal diagnosis by the medical or psychiatric communities...
and spoke to Isabelle Caro, a French actress, renowned for her underweight figure and anorexia
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by refusal to maintain a healthy body weight and an obsessive fear of gaining weight. Although commonly called "anorexia", that term on its own denotes any symptomatic loss of appetite and is not strictly accurate...
campaign.
During the first series in 2008, one feature involved Gillian McKeith
Gillian McKeith
Gillian McKeith is a Scottish nutritionist, television presenter, and writer. She is the former host in the UK of Channel 4's You Are What You Eat and Granada Television's Dr Gillian McKeith's Feel Fab Forever, and as of 2010 presents Eat Yourself Sexy on the W Network in Canada...
, who tried to find a way to "ban big bums" in the UK. She tested out different exercises to tone bums on different groups of ladies, and made a leader board for the most effective.
The show started its first series on 22 January and it concluded on 11 March 2008. The second series began on 20 January and concluded in March 2009. The 3rd series ran from 23 March to 18 May 2010. The 4th series began on 29 March 2011 and ended on 17 May 2011. On the 4th episode of the 4th series for the first time ever the diet swap was between two supersizers and two superskinnies.