I’m not a fan of Operation Transformation. But given what I do, I do watch it because it comes into my clinic space regularly with patients who watch it.  So, here are a few of the best – and worst – points last night, breaking it down by leader (TW: everything, really):

Michelle: Would like to see them expand their advice on health anxiety.  People are increasingly buying medical equipment to check themselves at home, or purchasing home testing.  How and when to use home glucose monitoring, home blood pressure checking, urine testing – is important. If you are getting anxious about it, talk to your doctor.   This one comes up alot in my own clinic (and yes, most of the time we need to step back from the testing  – not needed, doesn’t do what the patient thinks it should do, and causes anxiety.)

Best bit was actually a segment not related to Michelle highlighting a school with a good home ec programme.  In the ideal world, cooking skills could and would be learned at home.  However, if children don’t come from an environment where they have that opportunity, teaching home ec is a vital life and health skill. How many OT series have we seen where leaders are gently mocked for not being able to cook?  Studies have proven there is a connection there!  Those who know how to shop for food, prepare food, etc. are more likely to eat healthily!

Which brings us nicely to Darragh who struggled unpacking the shop as he could not identify butternut squash or courgette. They have talked about his work-life balance and reducing red meat, which is good. Worst bit – did we have to keep making him cry on TV?

Ann – another week, another lost opportunity.  Ann’s journey is so important.  And yet we heard all about her daughter’s move to Australia. Not that it isn’t important for Ann – and drama like this is good for ratings – but sending a qualified physiotherapist out to her home to work with her and educate older viewers on strength in the home is missing.  Even if they do this next week – it should be part of every episode.  We also didn’t explore her adding protein to her diet. An explanation as to how everyone in Ireland should be on Vitamin D (current public health advice) was also a missed opportunity.

Edel:  Her pre-occupation with her role and identity as a mother is affecting her health.  Many mothers develop poor eating habits as their children develop poor eating habits.  In the efforts to get their child to eat, dinners often start to feature fewer veggies on the table, more processed foods.  This is where mothers need evidence-based support more than online Instagram images of parenting.  As messy as it is, staying active yourself and looking after yourself often makes you a better mother:  more energy, better mood, and — monkey-see/monkey-do — building your child’s healthy habits. In short, looking after yourself is looking after your child!  

Also, Edel references more than once her fertility journey, and all the health professionals ignore her. Both obesity and poor health are associated with subfertility.

 Noel: In this year’s group, there are 2 men, both of whom are former athletes. They have an advantage. Noel has a particular advantage in a home gym!    There is a role here to explore something that is close to my heart:  Barriers to Health Behaviour Change.   He has the knowledge, he has the opportunity – what do we need to do to support him?  Would have liked a little more emphasis on not buying expensive straps from teh chemist and getting into qualifed CORU-registered and chartered physiotherapist early with pain can make a diffference!

Worst parts:

Emphasis on weight lost in one week, while making Leaders stand in body shaming lycra.  Especially after they opened the show, and throughout show, showed us how some of the Leaders felt about their body image.  If you are affected by body image or dieting:  Bodywhys

Lost opportunity for dietitian to really be given a chance to explain how her diet isn’t restricted calories, but the focus is on whole foods and that is making so  much of the difference!

No discussion on the family taking steps to change as a whole. Solo journeys are not sustainable.

Can we talk about the cost of that shop that Darragh did, and how that may not be an option for so many families (a phenomenon known as “hidden hunger“)?