HIGH rating TV show, The Biggest Loser, is a “scam”, according to one of Ballarat’s leading fitness experts.PerFit Health and Wellness owner Julian Gaylor, who has a degree in exercise science, has slammed the Channel Ten show as being “nothing more than a popular TV drama”.“With all the glowing coverage and praise, the average viewer is starting to think The Biggest Loser somehow represents the indomitability of human spirit and the triumph of modern bariatric medicine,” Mr Gaylor said.“Actually, nothing could be further from the truth. It’s a ‘made-for-TV’ spectacle that has morphed into a cruel hoax being sold to the typical overweight person of this day and age, an individual desperately looking for the weight loss secret.”Mr Gaylor said the show represents a “dangerous and unrealistic” way to lose weight.“In reality, human beings cannot lose this much weight in one week without dangerously manipulating your body.Mr Gaylor pointed to a number of cases revealed on TV shows Oprah and Larry King as well as by US Magazine, where contestants had put back on most of the weight they lost during the show once they returned to normal life.On Track Personal Fitness managing director Craig Schepis echoed Mr Gaylor’s concerns, but said the show also served a practical purpose.“I actually quite enjoy the show ... it’s quite emotional and in some cases it allows people to maybe reassess what damage they are doing to their bodies and their children,” Mr Schepis said.“But my concern is the psychological trauma (contestants) will experience after all this is done. It’s almost abuse, and that’s probably where I get a bit jaded by that sort of process. After it’s all done they’re on their own and there needs to be longer term support.”