RTÉ has defended its Operation Transformation programme saying it is proud of the "contribution it has made to Irish health awareness over the last eight years."
In a statement, the national broadcaster said the series had brought "an important focus to issues of health and well-being, and through its participative format offers people all over Ireland the opportunity to address weight and related health issues."
It pointed out that the series had consistently averaged half a million viewers on RTÉ 1, while the Operation Transformation website has had over five million page views for the current series alone.
The RTÉ statement followed an opinion piece by Dr Jacky Jones in The Irish Times on Tuesday in which she said the programme was a superficial reality show.
“The superficial approach taken by Operation Transformation will not help anyone, least of all low-income families who, because of poverty, are more likely to be obese and unfit than anybody else,” she wrote.
However, Gráinne McAleer, Head of Lifestyle for RTÉ Television, said:“Operation Transformation is not a quick fix; the series does not promise to magically transform peoples’ lives in eight weeks.
“Rather, the series is a springboard to encourage people to get healthier and change their approach to food, lifestyle and self esteem.