The addition of adolescents to "The Biggest Loser" sparks controversy LOS ANGELES, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- The new season of "The Biggest Loser"reality weight loss show will feature two 13-year-olds, sparking controversy, a fat-acceptance group said. Season 14 will include the two young teens and a 16-year-old, causing The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance to denounce the move, accusing the show of attempting to "profit off the bullying and stigmatization of fat kids" the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday. Barbara Altman Bruno, a NAAFA advisory board member and clinical social worker, said, "I am concerned that The Biggest Loser promotes short-term weight loss and does long-term harm to the bodies, minds, and spirits of many of its contestants and viewers -- precipitating eating disorders, weight gain, depression, and weight-based bullying. That they are now involving teenagers is appalling. The show itself is the best evidence of our intentions and approach. We encourage people to tune in to 'The Biggest Loser' on January 6 to see that the kid participants on the show will follow an age-appropriate program that emphasizes getting healthy rather than numbers on a scale. As you'll see, the kids are handled with great care, support and encouragement to help them live a healthier lifestyle," said a representative of the show. The addition of adolescents to the show is an attempt to start a national dialogue about obesity among youngsters, the rep said. The children are never weighed in or subjected to difficult workouts or low-intake diets, but are encouraged and shown how to become more active and make more healthful food choices, said the show's executive producer, Lisa Hennessy, who asked critics to reserve judgment until viewing the first episode. A consultant for the show, New York-based childhood obesity specialist and pediatrician Dr. Joanna Dolgoff, said she believes providing children with the tools to make healthful choices are more likely not to develop eating disorders. Dolgoff decried the lack of discussion regarding childhood obesity and said, "The silence is literally killing our children."