Jillian Michaels will return to The Biggest Loser. Michaels made the announcement on NBC's Today show and also revealed that this time around, The Biggest Loser will be tackling the sensitive issue of childhood obesity. "The show has chosen to take on something very controversial. They are going to go after childhood obesity," Michaels told Today show host Al Roker. "It's something that I'm really passionate about, and I want to be involved with."
Michaels explained that it was this edgy new direction that convinced her to return to the show and she explained that the new format will involve three teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17, in amongst the adult contestants on the show. "It's obviously something that needs to be handled with kid gloves, but it's something that needs to be handled," Michaels opines. The show will start in January, when people are looking to make New Year's resolution. Jillian explained that the show's producers want to capitalize on their existing success and that they feel a responsibility to address the huge problem of childhood obesity in the Usa.
Top child psychologists have ben consulted and Jillian insists that a different approach will be taken with the younger contestants. For example, they will not be asked questions such as "how much weight did you lose?" but will be encouraged to think about healthy eating, instead and altering their lifestyles accordingly. "They won't be getting on a scale; it's about getting them into the softball team, things like that."