Thousands call on RTÉ to switch off Operation Transformation for good

More than 7,700 Uplift members have signed a petition calling on RTÉ to decommission their weight loss entertainment show, Operation Transformation.

Experts and people affected say the show is causing huge distress for people living with and recovering from eating disorders.

They also say that the weight loss entertainment show promotes unsustainable rapid weight loss, encourages disordered eating behaviours and perpetuates weight stigma.

Additional news that the HSE partly funds the show whilst eating disorder services remain underfunded has been met with criticism.

Operation Transformation received nearly half a million euro from the HSE over the last two years, while ring fenced funding of €4 million for the development of eating disorder services was left unspent between 2018 and 2020.

The HSE currently only has allocated Eating Disorder beds for maximum 3 adults and 8 children in the whole of Ireland.

The campaign has created a media storm this week, forcing RTÉ to respond to the criticisms.

However, Uplift campaigners say this is not enough.

Uplift petition starter Sinéad Crowe from Intuitive Eating Ireland says;

“Eating Disorder services received zero funds this past year, whereas Operation Transformation received just under half a million euro of HSE funding.

“The diet plan recommended to the leaders/public to follow has less than a 10% chance of resulting in long-term weight loss.

“This diet has an over 80% chance of increasing participants’ weight long-term.

“Our state should not be funding a programme that is actively contributing to weight stigma & is also not safe or effective.”

Uplift campaigner, Michelle Byrne, says;

“Blaming individuals for how we eat or exercise ignores the complex social issues that affect our health such as the environment we live in, the poverty we face or lack of opportunities we have.

“Operation Transformation focuses on personal responsibility rather than looking at the root causes – letting the government off the hook for lack of funding into public infrastructure and services.”