Ep 1. The School of Last Resort
- August 9, 2010
Too Fat for 15: Fighting Back is a television series that follows five overweight teenagers in a weight loss program at Wellspring Academy, a boarding school that helps obese teenagers overcome their weight issues. The show records their daily struggles as they try to lose weight while dealing with their personal issues.
In the first episode titled "The School of Last Resort," we are introduced to the five predetermined teenagers, all of whom have lost hope of overcoming their weight issues. We meet Tanisha, a 15-year-old who weighs 510 pounds and is dealing with depression and a strained relationship with her mother. Then there's Emily, who is 14 years old and weighs 329 pounds, dealing with bullying issues and a poor self-image. Also, we meet Randy, 15, who weighs 475 pounds, and only wants to play video games and stay away from physical activity. There's also April, a 14-year-old girl who weighs 325 pounds, has an emotional attachment to food, and feels insecure in social situations. Finally, we meet Dr. Riba, a new doctor at the academy and the only one responsible for their health.
The episode commences on the first day of class at Wellspring Academy, where the teenagers try to find their footing in an unfamiliar environment. The school's approach to weight loss employs daily workouts, curriculum programs, and nutritious meal plans tailored to each teen. Each student receives an electronic "Bite Counter," which helps them keep track of portion sizes to manage their calorie intake.
The first day is a challenging one for Tanisha, Emily, Randy, April, and the rest of the recruits. Dr. Riba introduces basic concepts of losing weight as well as the academy's program, and the kids start their first exercise class. Reactions are mixed; Tanisha has to sit in a chair for most of the workout as her body can't keep up, while Randy has an emotional breakdown and resists participating at all.
Throughout the day, the students also meet with therapist Vinnie, who encourages them to open up about the root causes of their unhealthy eating habits and struggles. There's also a cooking lesson on how to make healthy meals, where the students must use their Bite Counters and learn how to combine ingredients to create nutritious meals.
As the episode progresses, we witness the struggles the teens undergo as they try to find their way through the program from day one. The students must face daily weigh-ins, with some apprehensive about stepping on the scale, with fears of humiliation and failure. Through the episode, we also witness the emergence of bonds between the students as they find commonality in their shared struggles.
The first episode of Too Fat for 15: Fighting Back effectively sets up the young people's journey to confront weight issues head-on, both mentally and physically. Students learn discipline and accountability through the program and their fellow students, and the episode does an excellent job of presenting the different people's different struggles.
In conclusion, the episode "The School of Last Resort" scores highly in content delivery, production, and pacing. I'd recommend it for anyone interested or struggling with weight issues, teachers, parents, and anyone dealing with their children's health.