A review of Michael Mosley's new Channel 4 series Lose a Stone in 21 Days has criticised the programme for its tired format and an underlying tone of moral judgment. The review, published for the show's second episode, described the diet programme as 'incredibly boring' and said it drew 'a noxious whiff of opportunism' by using 'lockdown belly' as a new justification for more of the same.
The series follows five participants who are given health tests and put on a very low-calorie diet, with exercise introduced in the second episode. The reviewer noted that the format is a familiar one, involving trainers, nutritionists, and progress tracking, but argued that it lacks insight into wider societal influences on weight and health.
Filmed in Mosley's home under Covid conditions, the programme features his family, including GP wife Clare, son Dan, and daughter Kate. The reviewer suggested that the presence of such slim, disciplined relatives creates an unintended message that participants simply need to 'Be More Mosley'. This, they said, adds an 'air of smugness' to the endeavour and implies moral judgment without acknowledging the social capital needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Criticism of the show has focused on its emphasis on calorie restriction, which some say raises concerns for people with eating disorders, and its narrow focus on weight loss rather than a holistic approach to health. The reviewer acknowledged that adding exercise may address some peripheral objections, but maintained that central concerns are legitimate and that programming has not kept pace with evolving conversations about obesity and weight.
