Viewers complaints about a television programme dedicated to helping people lose weight through diet have been partially upheld by the Broadcasting Standards Authority.
The complainants said that four episodes of Downsize Me!, broadcast on TV3, contained inaccurate and misleading statements, and viewers might misinterpret advice on the programme as being population-wide recommendations.
They said a disclaimer, played at the end of each programme before the closing credits in the bottom third of the screen, did not adequately inform viewers the advice given was tailored to the participants.
The disclaimer said the diet and exercise regime in the programme was designed and supervised by health professionals and tailored to participants. It recommended the public consult a doctor before embarking on any diet or exercise programme.
TV3's parent company, TVWorks, said the disclaimer was sufficient to make it clear that the advice was tailored to participants so audience members would not adopt it themselves, but the authority held that the disclaimer was small, difficult to read and not on the screen long enough for the viewer to read and understand it.
The authority said viewers were entitled to expect the information in the programme would be truthful and authoritative, but the programme's overarching purpose was entertainment and to "convey an uplifting social message".
Two aspects of the complaints, related to specific inaccuracies, were upheld by the authority, but the breaches were not serious enough to warrant an order, the authority said.
