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Shaq's Big Challenge TV Show Facts

Shaq helped a group of six obese kids lose a total of 285 lbs!

Courtesy of ABC

Being a basketball phenom isn't enough for Shaq, now he's aiming to get the country in shape. Shaq's Big Challenge takes six obese kids and helps them get on the road to fitness - with amazing results. Check it out!

Shaq's Big Challenge - The Kids

James Pistocchi - 11 year-old who lost 25 lbs (11 kg).

Chris Britto - 11 year-old who lost 77 lbs (35 kg).

Ariel Pittsinger - 14 year-old who lost 40 lbs (18 kg).

Kevin Evans - 13 year-old who lost 52 lbs (24 kg).

Kit Maldanado - 14 year-old who lost 27 lbs (12 kg).

Walter Holleger - 14 year-old who lost 64 lbs (29 kg).

Shaq's Big Challenge - The Adults

Shaquille O'Neal - NBA star and host of Shaq's Big Challenge.

Joy Bauer - Nutritionist.

Dale Brown - Shaq's college basketball coach and current coach for Louisiana .

Carlon Colker - Shaq's personal physician and trainer.

Tyler Florence - Celebrity chef.

Dr. William I. Muinos - Expert on childhood obesity.

Tarik Tyler - Personal trainer.

Shaq's Big Challenge - Fun Facts

Season one's participants jointly lost 285 lbs (129 kg).

The program was extended four months after the experts agreed the kids needed more help than they originally planned.

Kit quit the program when she had an anxiety attack after an altercation with their trainer. She later rejoined.

When he's not training the Big Challenge kids, Tarik Tyler is the personal trainer to celebrities like Kate Hudson and model Tomiko Fraser.

Shaq's Big Challenge - Quotes

"Each kid, individually, is a beautiful kid." - Shaq

"I know, from a food perspective, a lot of these kids have momentum and then a few weeks go by and they lose it." - Joy

"What's a grilled haddock sandwich?" - Kevin
"Haddock is fish." - Joy
"Eww." - Kevin

"Can I get the grilled eggplant and, instead of fries, can I get, like, a house salad?" - James
"Who knew you liked eggplant? That's a fancy vegetable." - Joy
"It's a vegetable?" - James

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Shaquille O'Neal Biography

Overview of Obesity

Eating Healthy with the Food Pyramid

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