They make up 27% of the contestants on the The Biggest Loser, a show people can watch to either: (1) make fun of fat people, (2) make them feel less fat, or (3) let them commiseratewith fat people! The MormonTimes is highlighting the fact that 6 of the 22 current contestants on the biggest loser are Mormons. I can understand that Mormons are currently in a “Look at us!” phase, in which any attention is seen as good attention. But attention to the Mormon obesity epidemic?

Mormons are, statistically, fatter than are non-Mormons(14% more likely to be obese, per:Twitchell, Jeremy. 2006. A Weighty Religious Issue: LDS Heavier. Deseret Morning News, February 14.). Is drawing attention to your obesity problem good attention? It’s like saying, “Join the Mormons; you get your own world, a harem, and to be obese.” That sounds like greed and gluttony writ large. Hmmm… Maybe this is good marketing.

Suggestion for the marketing department at LDS, Inc. headquarters: your next round of “…and I’m a Mormon” ads should be with these contestants. “I’m _______; I’m fat, and I’m a Mormon.”