Shay was a special guest of NASW at the Voice Awards in Los Angeles in 2010. Photo courtesy of NASW.

SocialWorkersSpeak.org planned to call social worker Shay Sorrells, who appeared on NBC’s  “The Biggest Loser,” to find out how her life is going.

Well, phillyBurbs.com beat us to it. Click here to read their interview with Sorrells, who was the heaviest-ever contestant to appear on the popular program.

The California resident continues to live a busy life. She lost even more weight, is in a partnership with Subway, and is a full time social worker at Boys Town.

Shay Sorrells answered questions from social workers on SocialWorkersSpeak.org. To read that article, click here.

Contestants on The Biggest Loser, one of many weight loss reality TV shows.

Brendan Borrell, a Los Angeles Times reporter, was doing an article on weight loss reality shows and found SocialWorkersSpeak.org had already assembled a panel of social workers to talk about that issue (click here to read their discussion).

So he picked one of our panelists, National Association of Social Workers member Lorette Lavine, to talk about the pro side of weight loss reality shows.  Lavine is a social worker at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, a nurse, adjunct instructor at the Loyola University School of Social Work, and adjunct faculty member at the university.

On the con side was Lynn Grefe, chief executive of the National Eating Disorders Association.

To read the full Los Angeles Times article click here.

Lorette Lavine

Lavine’s interview is an example of one thing NASW is trying to accomplish through SocialWorkersSpeak.org. That is to position social workers as experts who can comment on media and entertainment industry trends. Lorette, thanks for your great work on the behalf of social workers!

To learn more about how social workers help clients improve their health, click here to visit NASW’s Help Starts Here Healthy Lifestyles Web page. And did you know one of the most well known contestants on NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” is social worker Shay Sorrells. To read her interview on SocialWorkersSpeak.org, click here.

Lynn Grefe is the chief executive of the National Eating Disorders Assn

Lorette Lavine is a nurse and clinical social worker who treats obese patients in the dialysis center at Loyola Medical Center in Maywood, Ill.

Review by Cheryl A. Johnson, LCSW

RATING (Out of 5 SocialWorkersSpeak.org Megaphones):

Plot (Cheryl watched Episode 2 on Oct. 5, 2010): The plot of the show is for individuals to lose weight through diet and exercise. Participants go through vigorous exercise routines and food management. Each week the participants are weighed and out of a process of elimination (most to least weight lost) one of two participants leaves the show.

Why social workers and the public should not watch this show: Although I do not think the show should be totally ignored, the parts that are shown of the participants dealing with their life situations outside of the competition and emotional struggles during the show should be totally ignored.

This is not due to the angst the participants feel, BUT the incompetence of the two trainers who “support” the participant when experiencing their difficulties. What is shown on the episodes  is an untrained trainer giving “sugar coated”  discussion with individuals who are in real pain.

The issues that have caused the participant to gain their weight are often at the core of emotions that rise up. It is a disservice for the participants to once again not receive the support they need to break through or even better handle a problem he or she is experiencing. The show does not indicate that the participants are receiving any mental health support outside of these potentially harmful “chats”.

Just as they have medical professionals who are responsible for the participants ongoing medical issues, so should there be trained mental health professionals (Social Workers) be an active presence on the show.

Cheryl A. Johnson is a Baltimore social worker who has been employed in the field of disabilities for 25 years.

SocialWorkersSpeak.org recently featured a panel of social work experts who commented on weight loss reality shows. To read that article click here.

Social worker and "The Biggest Loser" contestant Shay Sorrells poses on the red carpet at the Voice Awards in Los Angeles. Shay was a special guest of the National Association of Social Workers.

Social workers made a splash at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s 2010 Voice Awards at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on Oct. 13.

The National Association of Social Workers is one of SAMHSA’s partners in the awards program, which honors writers and producers of television shows and films that increase awareness of mental health and substance abuse issues.

NASW Senior Practice Associate Sharon Issurdatt, ACSW, DCSW, LCSW, was also one of the judges who helped pick award recipients.

NASW representatives at the event were Suzanne Dworak-Peck, MSW, LCSW, ACSW, past president of the National Association of Social Workers and a member of the NASW Communications Network Advisory Committee and NASW Senior Public Relations Specialist Greg Wright.

NASW’s special guests were Rebecca Volberg, who handles standards and practices for “Huge” and other ABC Family programs, and social worker Shay Sorrells, MSW, a former contestant on NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.”

NASW Past President Suzanne Dworak-Peck (left) and NASW special guest Rebecca Volberg of ABC Family.

This year’s award program recognized the contributions of America’s military men and women and the behavioral health issues they face after returning from the battlefield to their families and communities.

This theme was reflected in the selection of some of the award recipients. Lifetime network’s “Army Wives” and ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” were both awarded for episodes that addressed post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Attending the award program was a moving and inspiring experience,” Wright said. “It is heartening to see that more programs are accurately depicting issues which are important to social workers.”

“We hope the connections we make at such events will lead to more positive media portrayals of social workers and the invaluable work they do,” Wright said.

Suzanne Dworak-Peck and Voice Award recipient and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.

Voice Awards co-host actor Hector Elizondo and Shay Sorrells.

From left: NASW's Greg Wright, Past NASW President Suzanne Dworak-Peck, Voice Award co-host and actor Lou Gossett and Shay Sorrells.

SAMHSA Administrator Pamela Hyde (right) and other Voice Awards recipients and attendees.

Voice Award program cover

NASW Voice Award advertisement

To get the full list of Voice Award honorees click here. To learn more about how social workers help consumers with behavioral health issues and veterans visit NASW’s “Help Starts Here” Mind & Spirit Web page by clicking here and Veterans Affairs Web page by clicking here.

There has been a rash of reality television shows dealing with weight and dieting in recent years, including “The Biggest Loser” on NBC, “Ruby” on Style Network, and “Dance Your A** Off” on Oxygen.

Are these programs exploitive or are do they really encourage viewers to live healthy lifestyles?

We asked a panel of social workers who are experts on health and wellness issues to comment on television shows that focus on weight. The panelists are:

Francis L. Battisti, PhD, LCSW, BCD: CEO of Battisti Networks, a multi-discipline consulting firm specializing in individual and organizational transformation and life enhancement. Battisti is also professor of psychology and human services at the State University of New York — Broome Community College Campus.

Lorette Lavine, MSW, LCSW: A social worker at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, adjunct instructor at the Loyola University School of Social Work, and adjunct faculty member at the university.

Judith Matz, MSW, LCSW: Director of the Chicago Center for Overcoming Overeating, Inc. and co-author of “The Diet Survivor’s Handbook: 60 Lessons in Eating, Acceptance and Self-Care” ($12.95, Sourcebooks Inc.) and “Beyond a Shadow of a Diet: The Therapist’s Guide to Treating Compulsive Eating” ($37.50, Routledge).

Deirdra Robinson, MSW, CSW, PhD: Member of the clinical faculty at the University of Kentucky, program manager of the Appalachian Community Cancer Network, and vice president of the National Association of Social Workers Kentucky Chapter.

From left: Francis Battisti, Lorette Lavine, Judith Matz and Deirdra Robinson.

Q: Why are there so many television shows about losing weight? Are Americans obsessed with this issue?

BATTISTI: To place the weight issue in perspective let’s review the data. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reports obesity rates increased dramatically in the last 25 years. A 2009 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with RTI International, found that direct and indirect costs of obesity are as high as $147 billion annually. A 2009 Health Affairs journal study concluded that the costs of hospitalizations related to childhood obesity rose from $125.9 million in 2001 to $237.6 million in 2005. From this perspective, I believe that the increase in the number of television shows that focus on weight issues is a direct result of the aforementioned data.

LAVINE: I agree the shows reflect the fact more people watching television are overweight and morbidly obese. American adults and children are suffering from this serious health problem at an enormously high rate. The networks are also hoping to gain viewers as well.

MATZ: Our culture also has an unhealthy preoccupation with weight — and with dieting as a way to lose that weight. If you look at the scientific research people can actually be healthy at a lot of different body sizes. The problem is that dramatic weight loss makes for good TV ratings. It speaks to people’s fantasies that if they can just become thin enough other problems — such as low self-esteem, relationship issues, or general dissatisfaction with life — will melt away along with the pounds.

ROBINSON: I think there has always been a cultural preference to people who are skinny. People who are overweight or obese carry a label and are outcast. The television show explosion, I believe, is the result of the reality show phenomenon coupled with America’s obsession with being thin. It’s a perfect marriage. Offer people who are severely obese so other Americans can offer justification as to why that isn’t their situation.

Ruby on Style Network.

Q: Do you think these television programs inspire others to get up and lose weight?

LAVINE: I actually do believe that “Ruby” and “America’s Biggest Loser” do inspire others to try to lose weight. Viewers see these people work very hard to achieve goals, which seem to be almost impossible from their first weigh-in to last. These shows also illustrate the fact that it takes a team of supporters to achieve their weight loss goals. Support is so important in losing the weight and keeping it off. There is also an emphasis on living a healthy lifestyle, not just dieting and shedding pounds.

MATZ: There is no doubt that these shows cause people to feel that they need to do something about their weight. Unfortunately this “inspiration” usually does more harm than good. Weight loss reality shows normalize unhealthy behaviors such as restricting dieting and over exercising. The focus on weight loss as motivation to change one’s lifestyle hurts the people participating in “The Biggest Loser” as well as viewers who believe that they too, should engage in diet-driven behavior.

ROBINSON: I have differing opinion than Judith and Lorette. I think these programs offer those who are obese or overweight a normalization option, a “see, they are like me attitude.” However, these types of television programs use a hygienic approach. This means they are done in a sterile, non-realistic environment. There is little sustainability. I don’t believe this is motivating, as most viewers will simply say, “If I had those resources, I could weigh 120 pounds, too.”

Q: What about the argument that these shows can be downright exploitive?

BATTISTI: These programs are primarily geared toward keeping audience members high by keeping viewers watching by editing and selectively showing “emotionally charged” moments. The message directly or indirectly given is that, if the participant tries hard enough or wants it hard enough, they can make it happen. This naïve concept leads directly to bias and ridicule. If this biased concept was true, two-thirds of our population would not be obese. The issue is not about losing weight — it’s about developing life-long lifestyle change. And this does not occur by watching a television show. In fact, television watching can add to the misinformation concerning what needs to be done to develop a healthy lifestyle.

MATZ: All reality shows, whether they focus on weight or any other issue, appeal to our desire to find out what’s going on in the lives of others. We can watch how someone else is handling life’s challenges and say, “I feel like that sometimes,” or, “At least that’s not me.” In a sense, any reality show is exploitive of its participants; but regardless how you feel about reality shows it’s always important to treat people with respect. The problem with reality shows that focus on weight is that there is an implicit message of shame that the person is not okay.

Q: Eating or overeating can be tied to a person’s emotional state. Would these shows be improved if they examined what factors in a person’s life contributed to their weight?

ROBINSON: I don’t know if addressing the origin of the weight problem is the key. I believe how or why someone is the weight they are is important but not the defining issue. Individuals have to believe and be empowered and these types of shows don’t offer enough practical approaches to doing something about it. Rather, it’s about the drama of the issues.

MATZ: As to focusing on how people became heavy, that’s an interesting question. Focusing on why someone is fat presumes that weight is always within our control. It’s important to keep in mind that weight is a characteristic and not a behavior. Although our lifestyle certainly can affect our weight, science shows that our set point — or natural weight — is determined in large part by our genetics. We stay in our set point range if we eat when hungry, stop when satiated, and move our bodies in a way that is comfortable. Human physiology has been programmed through evolution and adaptation to respond to times of famine in ways that maximize species survival; our bodies are actually wired to fight against weight loss. Each time the body defends itself against a diet it becomes more efficient at storing fat. When we diet, our set point gets reset at a higher weight, so one of the many reasons for weight gain is the increase in dieting over the past few decades. As for psychological factors, people who are fat have no more or less issues than people who are thin. And there are thin people who engage in very serious eating disordered behavior. There are compulsive eaters who are “normal” weight and there are fat people who do not overeat. So focusing on how some came to be their current size is not necessarily an answerable question. Focusing on why people have trouble practicing caretaking behaviors would be a more useful concept.

Scene from "Dance Your A** Off" on Oxygen.

Q: “Dance Your A** Off” on the Oxygen Channel has contestants compete against each other by doing dance routines and losing weight. Does this program send a positive message about physical activity? Or does it hold heavier people up for derision by having them compete in sometimes skimpy attire?

LAVINE: I am not particularly a fan of “Dance Your Ass Off” but in today’s environment I think that anything that encourages increased physical activity is definitely a positive thing. The skimpy attire is for the television ratings. In general the things that are for ratings do not usually appeal to me but that is part of the media hype…so be it!

ROBINSON: This show exploits the concept of “Dancing with the Stars.” These people aren’t judged by their talent or their dancing technique. The concept of health isn’t promoted. The topic of self-esteem and confidence and healthy choices are not addressed. This show seems to be more focused on mirroring “Dancing with the Stars” in a way that gathers ratings.

MATZ: Reality dance shows such as “Dancing with the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance” have been immensely popular with TV viewers. I hope these programs send a positive message that physical activity doesn’t have to be tedious — dance is a wonderful way to move one’s body and have fun at the same time. The problem with the show “Dance Your A** Off” is that it uses contestants’ weekly weigh-ins to determine the scores, which then promotes unhealthy behaviors such as over-exercising and restricting. It also sends the message that if you exercise and don’t lose weight it’s not worth it. I would much prefer to see reality shows where people of all sizes are invited to compete and the focus is on talent rather than weight. As for skimpy attire, people have different levels of comfort as to how much skin is revealed on TV shows. I am no more or less uncomfortable with skimpy outfits when a person is heavy than when a person is thinner.

Q: National Association of Social Workers member Shay Sorrells was a popular contestant on “America’s Biggest Loser.” Amanda Davis, another social worker, appeared on The Dr. Oz Show for a weight loss challenge. Sorrells said her weight loss inspired her to help others live healthier lives and eat better. What role should social workers take in helping clients lose weight?

BATTISTI: The ecological systems and social work, strength-based perspectives offer ideal concepts to address the obesity issue. Social work intervention needs to be based on a firm understanding of the psychosocial elements within the family structure and the ecology system within which the individual lives. Oriented toward strengths and competence of the client, the strengths perspective represents a collection of ideas and techniques that identifies a lens of empowerment through which to view the world of the client. The strengths perspective connects with the essence of the social work profession. It articulates the core values of integrity, distributive justice, dignity and worth of the individual and the quality of therapeutic relationship.

LAVINE: Social workers have a role cut out for them working with clients that are overweight. It could be a coaching, therapeutic role which helps a person to achieve his/her goals along with other disciplines advising them on proper diet and exercise. It is all part of a successful weight loss program and in my opinion it could help someone keep the weight off.

MATZ: Social workers have an obligation to promote practices that help our clients improve their lives. It is imperative that social workers understand the research related to dieting, health and weight, and that we offer services that foster our clients’ physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Statistically 95 percent to 98 percent of people who embark on diets will gain back the weight and two-thirds will end up heavier than their pre-diet weight. Instead, we need to lead the way in influencing policies and offering services that will support healthful and sustainable lifestyles for our clients and our communities. I co-wrote “Beyond a Shadow of a Diet: The Therapist’s Guide to Treating Compulsive Eating” because social workers and other mental health professionals do not usually receive training in these areas.

ROBINSON: Social workers have a unique understanding of how individuals function in their own environments. Of course social workers should be leading this charge. We understand the needs of individuals — their need for support, direction and education. And we also understand how to mobilize the community to best support the individual. Social workers are critical to the issue of obesity.

Q: If you could create a television program to encourage people to lose weight how would it be formatted?

MATZ: Rather than creating a TV show that focuses on weight loss I would much prefer to see people who struggle with overeating and poor body image learn how to strengthen themselves physically and emotionally so that they can live more fully in the world. Since I co-authored “The Diet Survivor’s Handbook” with my sister and fellow social worker Ellen Frankel my ideal show would feature us as Diet Survivor Sisters. We would create a “Diet Survivors” reality show where people would make the revolutionary decision to quit dieting. Instead therapists, dieticians and exercise physiologists would teach participants how to make peace with food by ending the deprivation of diets and learning to honor their hunger and fullness. Participants would improve their health and fitness level by finding ways to exercise that feels comfortable and joyful. Ultimately, each participant would follow her dream, whether it’s to climb a mountain in the Himalayas, learn to scuba dive off the coast of Belize, or hike along the coast of Italy. Diet Survivors would focus on creating a supportive and collaborative environment rather than encouraging competition among participants and viewing weight loss as the ultimate goal. Any takers?

BATTISTI: The ideal television presentation would consist of two interconnected segment venues.  The first venue would assemble a team of professionals (medical professional, dietitian, exercise physiologist and social worker) who possess a clinical background in obesity for working with participants.  The show would be aired once-a-month for a year and would follow the clinical treatment of the participants.  From diagnosis, to treatment, to maintenance, each participant would be observed, interviewed and triaged.  The true focus of editing would be to offer a snapshot of diagnostic treatment.  The second segment venue, which would be offered during the other three weeks of the month, would focus on different modalities of health intervention with different participants.  Developing a healthy lifestyle and successful ecological intervention approaches, which have been put in place and offer hopeful results, would be the content of this segment venue. Examples of successful ecological interventions could include:  Shape-Up Summerville, a city-wide health enhancement program, successful worksite health intervention programs funded by The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), and   the Sustainable Nutrition Application Program (SNAP), a Blue Cross/Blue Shield funded childhood-family obesity intervention program. A health promotion model would be used as the format of this show.

LAVINE: I like the “Biggest Loser” format where there is a competition as well as teamwork. This is supportive and challenging at the same time. However, I think that there could be more focus on healthy eating. They do share recipes at times but the show is mostly about the exercise and the competitions. Personally, I would put more emphasis on food preparation and how to adjust a person’s eating habits. But again, I would also look at what captures ratings as I feel that the more people that are reached by these shows the better. Obesity is a serious problem and can lead to so many other medical problems — diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure and eventually death. A sad fact is that many young people will not live to be as old as their parents due to poor eating habits and obesity. That is not only sad but intolerable.

ROBINSON: I would create a show that offered individuals who were obese weight loss options that are sustainable.  The physical fitness component would be about personal bests – how much did the person push him or herself to do their personal best.  This could easily be calculated using stats.  Additionally, I would give participants points for healthy cooking.  I would give them a food that most people enjoy and ask them to research and prepare a healthy version of it, perhaps using the taste testing method like on ”America’s Next Great Chef.” The most important component would be offering participants points for documentation – food diaries and workout logs. Research shows this is what causes lifestyle changes – and that’s the only place where success in weight loss occurs.

For more information on how social workers help consumers live healthier lifestyles, visit the National Association of Social Workers’ “Help Starts Here” Health and Wellness Web page by clicking here.

Photo of Amanda Davis courtesy of the Kansas City Star.

Move over Shay Sorrells of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.” Another National Association of Social Workers member is losing weight on television.

Amanda Davis, 25, a social worker at North Kansas City Hospital, was shopping at Marshall’s when a producer from the The Dr. Oz Show invited her to do a 60-day weight loss challenge.

Davis, who was approaching 300 pounds, decided to take the show up on the challenge and has lost 66 pounds so far.

“I looked unhealthy. I looked unhappy,” Davis said. “But I was in denial.”

To read the full Kansas City Star article on Davis click here.

Shay Sorrells

Shay Sorrells did not win the eighth season of the “The Biggest Loser” (Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern on NBC). Still, the National Association of Social Workers member and Newport Beach, Calif., resident has become one of the hit show’s most popular challengers.

When Shay competed she was the heaviest contestant up to that time, weighing 476 pounds. She shed 170 pounds by the end of the season. Now Subway restaurants will pay Shay $1,000 for each pound she loses by the end of the ninth season.

Several weeks ago Shay invited other social workers to ask questions about her experiences. 

Here are her responses:

Q: What can we do to give lower income families access to healthy foods? When you need to put food on the table or into your children’s mouths, sometimes health goes out the window and it doesn’t matter if you’re eating macaroni and cheese or a healthy dinner — you just need to eat!

SHAY: I completely agree and understand and have lived the whatever-is-available-is-what-you-eat lifestyle. There are some small changes and choices you can make to a menu that won’t break the bank and are food stamp friendly!

If you are working with a family that has NO means:

• Look for organizations in your community that are willing to donate fresh vegetables and foods! You would be surprised how many places would be willing, especially when you flash that non-profit, tax write-off paperwork!
• Depending on your location (and family situation), if you are in a rural area or at least dirt is accessible think community garden, back patio garden, or even windowsill garden! It is really cheap to grow your own veggies, spices, and herbs and it’s a great learning experience for the whole family.
• Sometimes it can just come down to preparation. Ingredients such as almond milk are superb for you and much cheaper. Using less butter or less oils to cook is a better option. White break and wheat bread usually cost the same. Buy wheat bread and brown rice instead of white bread or rice. 
• Educate clients on how a $3 dollar McDonalds Happy Meal can actually stretch if you spend that amount on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for several meals. 

For the family that has LITTLE means follow the above tips plus advise clients to:

• Check out vegetables and fresh meats that are near expiration and are “manager’s specials” that are deeply discounted. Grocery stores near whe I live often do this.
• Select frozen vegetables, which are a more affordable option and often go on sale and don’t perish as quickly. Frozen vegetables also have more nutrients than fresh ones because they are frozen at peak freshness.
• Opt for low-sugar cereals for the kids! Last time I checked, sugary cereals were more expensive than Raisin Bran and similar brands.
• Go to Costco! They have great deals on large quantities and these days carry a lot of health-conscious products such as Greek yogurt (more protein and less carbs, keeps the tummy fuller on less of it! ), egg whites which stretch much further than whole eggs etc!

Q: How do you manage to get in appropriate meals, snacks and exercise in the social worker world? As all social workers know we are very overworked and very underpaid.

SHAY: First, follow some of the above advice that I gave for our families. We all teach our families budgeting and prioritizing very well but often don’t practice what we preach! Am I right? I work in the field a lot so at the start of the week (Sundays for me) I cook a week’s worth of meals (meat, veggies, fruit, snacks etc.), put half in the freezer and the other half portioned in baggies in the fridge. Every morning I throw a days worth (whatever your calorie intake is) of food in a cooler, put ice packs in, silverware etc. and I know I can have anything in that cooler. Now on the days I wake up and realize I was supposed to be somewhere five minutes ago there are several places besides a grocery store, which is my first choice, that I know I can stop and get something that won’t completely destroy my day. For example, I go to Subway and I get a six-inch, whole wheat (with the bread scooped out), turkey sub with double lettuce, tomato, bell peppers, spinach, cucumbers and avocado, with pepper and balsamic vinegar. With applies and iced tea that’s $6. If I can’t locate a Subway I go to El Pollo Loco and get a skinless chicken breast and a loco salad (or two). Ask for the salad without the tortilla strips and get the light creamy cilantro dressing. Shred the chicken into the salads, use half or less of the dressing (or just use the house salsa!).  That’s $4 and not bad on the calories!

Q: I am glad you were able to address your problem and I wish you well on your new diet and new mind set. However, do you think you provided a poor role model for clients when you were obese?

SHAY: Thank you for your well wishes. I do not believe I provided a poor role model because much more makes up a social worker than their size or weight. However, I do think for me it was a reality that I was not going to be a very good social worker if I was a dead one or an immobile one. I have helped empower many clients in my years in the field and I do not think my weight directly affected them. However, it did affect me and my abilities. If anything, I believe that to truly empathize and understand someone you will have had to walk in their shoes, whether literally or at least mentally. I think by going public with my journey and struggle it provided a very positive role model for many more people than I could have ever imagined.

Q: I get hesitant to bring up a client’s weight unless they talk about it first. I don’t want to offend my clients or make them uncomfortable in any way. What is your suggestion for bringing up this topic?

SHAY: Talk about general health overall. If that makes you feel more comfortable it can be a gateway to the conversation. The reality is if you are overweight you know it and you know everyone else knows it. The other side of that is no one can make a change for you, you have to decide to do it for yourself and that may be why clients do not talk about it openly to us. However if it is directly affecting their treatment or services (diabetes or medical care) you may want to address it in that capacity and set goals and objectives accordingly.

Q: From your experience as a social worker, are the causes of obesity common across diverse populations or are they differentially experienced by individuals of different socio-economic status, race, gender etc.?

SHAY: Obesity and weight issues are an American epidemic that does span across many populations. However there are some cultural and ethnic components that definitely have an impact on some more than others. For example, some cultures celebrate and show love through food because it is their only means. This can lead to emotional eating and weight issues. For other cultures their traditional foods historically were the least nutritious and basically most unhealthy because of their status in society. This is difficult to change because now the food is accepted and celebrated as culture. America also markets certain foods and products to certain socio-economic classes more frequently than others. I read  a study that (said) there are more fast food places per square mile than grocery stores in ALL lower economic neighborhoods! This is a problem of epic proportions and a macro social work issue if you ask me!

Q: What would be the first intervention and the most important interventions for a client who asks for help dealing with weight and eating-related issues?

SHAY: Help the client pinpoint what the underlying food issue is, whether lack of education about nutrition and exercise or emotional eating. This will lead you to your next intervention which would be education or counseling and most of the time both.

Q:  Do you plan to incorporate what you learned on the “Biggest Loser” into your practice or with your clients?

SHAY: Absolutely! I learned more than just weight loss on “The Biggest Loser.” I really learned about the emotional weight and the compulsive emotional eating that had taken over my life. There are direct connections between mental health and our physical and emotional health. We are total people, and to compartmentalize and only work on one aspect is a disservice. Many times emotional and mental health issues derive from a physical health issue. Are you depressed because you are overweight or overweight because you are depressed? Treating both would be the best possible method of help for our clients.

Q: I work in a diabetes education clinic. We are holding a class for people interested in learning to live and eat healthy. What do you feel is the most important issue to address in a class like this? I want to stress that we are not going to talk about losing weight.

SHAY: Lifestyle change! Diets are a setup for failure! We must look at lifelong changes that are achievable and sustainable. Goal setting is HUGE! Research suggests setting small attainable goals no further than 12 weeks out. Ideally, four to six weeks keeps interest peaked. So some goals may be to keep my blood sugar between this and that number, to walk four times per week, to drink eight glasses of water daily etc. Achieving these small successes will pave the way to better health without ever talking about weight!

Q: What are your future plans?

SHAY: I plan to continue on my journey to a healthier and happier me and to continue helping people for as long as I can. I do not believe that I have had this experience for only my growth but for the growth of others around me. I am a social worker — in my opinion from birth — and that is not going to change. It may look different but then I never went with the status quo. It may be in a public speaking arena, in a macro public advocacy role, or in helping agencies and companies to provide healthier opportunities for their employees to promote total health.

To learn more about how social workers such as Shay help people live healthier lifestyles visit the National Association of Social Workers’ “Help Starts Here”  Mind & Spirit Web pages by clicking here and Health & Wellness Web pages by clicking here.

Shay Sorrells before and after her "The Biggest Loser" eighth season weight loss.

Social worker Shay Sorrells MSW has become probably one of the most popular contestants on  “The Biggest Loser” (Tuesdays on NBC at 8 p.m.).

The Newport Beach, Calif. National Association of Social Workers member was the heaviest ever contestant on the program at 476 pounds. During the eighth season she shed 170 pounds. Now Subway restaurant is offering her $1,000 a pound to lose weight during the ninth season, which premiered Jan. 5.

Shay, 30, wants to reach out to other social workers to talk about her weight loss, career, and how social workers help clients maintain healthier lifestyles . She invited you to send questions to SocialWorkersSpeak.org (submit questions in the comment field).

SocialWorkersSpeak.org will pick the best and post Shay’s answers.

Social workers often help people improve improve health and adopt better eating habits. To learn more visit the National Association of Social Workers’ “Help Starts Here” Eating Disorders and Healthy Lifestyles Web pages. And tell us what you think about Shay Sorrell’s story! Leave comments below.

Photo of Shay Sorrells courtesy of Lane Bryant.

Subway will pay California social worker Shay Sorrells $1,000 a pound to continue shedding weight during the 9th season of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” which premieres Jan. 5 at 8 p.m. Eastern.

Sorrells was the heaviest ever contestant on the program when she competed during the eighth season. She weighed in at 476 pounds but lost 170 pounds by the season finale. Sorrells, who was born to a drug-addicted mother and passed from foster home to foster home, is now a social worker committed to helping families in distress.

“It was mind-blowing enough to hear (trainer Bob Haper) say that my story inspired millions,” Sorrells said in this Los Angeles Times article.  ”As a social worker, that’s my goal. And then I heard him say ‘$1,000 a pound.’ And I thought, ‘Did I hear that right?’ ”

Social workers often help people improve improve health and adopt better eating habits. To learn more visit the National Association of Social Workers’ “Help Starts Here” Eating Disorders and Healthy Lifestyles Web pages. And tell us what you think about Shay Sorrell’s story! Leave comments below.

Before and after photo of Shay Sorrells photo courtesy of dietsinreview.com.

California social worker Shauntina “Shay” Sorrells was eliminated from “The Biggest Loser”  (NBC on Tuesdays), which aired its season finale on Dec. 8.

Shay grew up in the foster care system, struggled with weight all her life, and said her size affected her ability to work with clients. She was the heaviest ever contestant on the program at 497 pounds but so far has lost more than 170 pounds!

Social workers can continue to follow Shay’s progress on her Facebook page. And for fans of the show the new season premieres Jan. 5 at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. Central).

Q: Did Shay’s appearance on “The Biggest Loser” help portray the social work profession in a positive light?

To find out more about how social workers help people deal with weight and other health issues visit the National Association of Social Workers “Help Starts Here” Healthy Lifestyles Web page.