Dr Ian Campbell is the medical director for Weight Concern and resident doctor on The Biggest Loser. He is one of the UK’s leading experts on obesity, with 18 years experience and has worked across all three series of the hit TV show. Dr Campbell has the power to give someone’s Biggest Loser weight loss journey the green light, or halt them in their tracks if he has concerns for their health and wellbeing.
We caught up with the Dr Ian to find out more about the role he plays with the contestants when the cameras aren’t running, his toughest decision on the show to date and how his passion to help overweight people shows no signs of tiring...
How do you assess the contestants before they’re chosen for the show?
The Biggest Loser is physically and mentally arduous so it’s my job to make sure they are all up to it. For each contestant I do a psychology assessment with the psychologist and undertake sophisticated tests of their health and fitness, looking for things such as diabetes and high blood pressure. The show provides extreme weight loss and I need to be satisfied that it is safe for each of them.
At 32st and the show’s heaviest male to date, were you shocked by Kevin’s weight?
Unfortunately I’ve seen it all before. I’m never shocked by anyone’s weight now. However, I am always touched by their plight and never tire of trying to understand and help.
How hard was it to send Geoff home before his Biggest Loser journey had even begun?
It was honestly the toughest decision I’ve had to make on the show to date. I felt so terrible for him, but when the new information turned up the day before they entered the house, I was concerned he would be at more risk doing the show than he would not doing it.
That’s my job: to make sure each and every one of the contestants can withstand the gruelling regime. Knowing all the contestants had to complete a 5K run on entering the house, I just couldn’t allow him to continue.
Rest assured though, Geoff is receiving help from home where he can continue his weight loss journey independently. He has help from his GP, Faith the nutritionist, myself and the support of The Biggest Loser Club.
So why is it that someone of 19st like Geoff cannot compete in the show, but yet 32st-Kevin is still deemed ‘safe’ to do so?
There is a risk of injury, emotional distress and cardiovascular problems doing The Biggest Loser. All these problems also exist in their day-to-day life before the show, but this is their last chance saloon. They’ve tried everything else and nothing has worked. That’s why I believe in the show.
All the contestants are at risk if they take part in the show. But they are also at risk if they don’t. It’s about balancing these out, and the people chosen to appear on The Biggest Loser I believe will benefit from the experience.
In Geoff’s case, his age and Type 2 diabetes just made him too great a risk.
Once the contestants have passed your tests to enter the house, do you have much to do with them during the show?
Yes, I assess the contestants every week during the show to make sure they are coping, both physically and mentally.
There are visible weekly changes in their health, which are drastic and plentiful. In general, their blood pressure drops, cholesterol decreases, self-esteem soars and they gain an ability to look after themselves healthily. Most importantly, their weight decreases and their fitness improves.
In this week’s episode we saw you tell the contestants what their biological age is compared to their real age. Can someone work out their healthy age from home?
No, unfortunately not, but it would be a great way to shock people into taking better care of their weight and health. But on average, being obese can take about 9 years of your life.
The contestants’ biological ages were calculated with extensive research. I actually hadn’t done it before, so it was a first for me and I was very shocked by the results of a few contestants. Some were 10-15 years greater than their chronological age!
We decided to do this test to educate and motivate. They saw the damage they had done to themselves and it encouraged them to change.
For those at home, what is a safe and sensible weight loss?
It’s important to remember that The Biggest Loser is an extreme way to lose weight. It is a show after all. But for your own weight loss at home, the national guidelines state 1-2lbs per week is a healthy and steady loss, so aim for that. Don’t try to compete with the contestants’ losses.
And how is it best to set realistic, achievable goals?
There are plenty of websites that can work out a healthy weight for you. In terms of time scale, base your loss on a minimum of 1-2lb a week for 12 weeks. Reset your goal weight every 12 weeks so it doesn’t seem insurmountable. Set a benchmark of no less than a 5% loss, but ideally at least 10% and go from there.
*Dr Ian Campbell does not endorse The Biggest Loser Club, but supports multiple weight loss platforms.