The Biggest Loser comes to Columbia looking for fat people

According to the CDC obesity rate by states trends over the last twenty some years, South Carolina has been among those leading the trend toward obesity. By 2008, South Carolina had the distinction to be among only six states (Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia) with an obesity rate over 30%.

Which makes me wonder why anyone would be happy that the reality show "The Biggest Loser" would pick South Carolina to come to for its 11th season auditions.

Instead of lauding the show's arrival, Mayor Benjamin would be taking the opportunity to shame the state's residents into doing more to combat this life threatening problem. The issues of health and life style concerns when your state is over 30% (probably more today but there are no statistics for anything more recent than 2008) are something to take seriously not celebrate.

Yes, I know Mayor Benjamin's proclamation of Saturday (today) as Biggest Loser Day in Columbia is supposed to be a push for a healthier Columbia, but it seems a little backwards to be happy the show picked us to find their pool of contestants. I mean, it's not like "American Idol" is looking for the next big talent in our fair city. And it's not like creators of "Are you smarter than a fifth grader?" was looking to our youth for participants. Those types of searches we can be proud of. But for a show that needs really fat people to be part of it comes looking for them here. Not a good sign.

Now I know I could definitely stand to lose a few pounds myself and there are lots of reasons why people are overweight. So why not take the opportunity to push some well thought out ideas instead of celebrating and welcoming the casting directors of a reality show. Here's some things that he could have done instead:

= organized a walk for health

= sent a public letter to all the fast food companies located here to request large healthy menu signs be posted outside their restaurants (not that they would but it would highlight the problems of eating too much fast food)

= focus on slowing down the pace of our lives so that family time and family meals could be possible in these tough economic times

= have tables set up on the Capital steps, in the parks and at strategic locations throughout the area (malls and such) with pamphlets on healthy eating, exercise and obesity available for free

= seminars scheduled throughout the weekend on such topics as obesity and diabetes, coordination with local hospitals to help spread the message

= News conferences outside the Colonial Life Arena about the problems facing Columbia and South Carolina versus a tweet

There are any number of ways the mayor and others could have reacted to "The Biggest Loser" coming to Columbia for auditions. But instead, the powers that be decided that the circus atmosphere was the best way. So sad that a great opportunity to help people be healthier was squandered.