Hot Topic: The Biggest Loser

****SPOILER ALERT****

If you have been watching the Biggest Loser this season and haven't watched the finale, STOP READING NOW. 

Okay, I warned you.

If you are not familiar with the Biggest Loser, this is a show that I'm not sure how to describe other than, extreme. Basically, contestants are chosen to live on the "ranch" for three months with a primary goal of weight loss and getting healthy. These contestants are morbidly obese and typically have at least 100 pounds to lose. Life on the ranch includes vigorous exercise regimens under trainers Bob, Jillian and others and a pretty restricted diet. As the show has continued on and developed over the years, it is not uncommon for a contestant to lose 25 pounds in a week! 

I was obsessed with this show when it first started airing. Contestant weight loss was more like a healthier six to eight pounds per week and the contestants weren't exercising 6 hours per day like they are now. Although the participant changes were extremely different from month one to month four, they were not quite so extreme week to week.

As the scale differences during weekly weigh in's have peaked in more recent seasons, the question of whether or not The Biggest Loser is healthy has accumulated some interest in health professionals. And the results of this season...well, you can see them on Jillian and Bob's faces here when their winning contestant stepped on the stage:

The winner of this season, Rachel had drastic results. After not seeing Rachel for one month, Jillian and Bob seem to be shocked at how much more weight she lost at home. Lets look at some before and after photos:

2009's winner, Ali

This seasons winner, Rachel 

It is hard to tell whether a person is at a healthy weight from the eyes alone because body composition, or the ratio of lean body mass to fat mass, plays a more significant role than actual size. Above, you'll see 2009's winner, Ali Vincent who looks fantastic. There is no question that she looks very healthy and I doubt anyone would argue that she's too thin, but really, perfectly proportioned.

Compare that to this seasons winner, Rachel. At a very thin, 5'4'' and 105 pounds, her health is questionable. It's hard to know unless you are in the position, but would it be worth a $250,000 grand prize to take your weight loss further than might actually be healthy? No doubt, she certainly has worked hard and props to her for that, but did she take it too far?

What do you think?