“Biggest Loser” partner provides behind-the-scenes peek at show’s medical technology

Hopefully by now, you’ve read the first installment of EBN’s year-long BeneFIT Success series, which chronicles employers and employees in their individual and organizational wellness triumphs.

If not, click here to read the wellness success of our first subject, Luann Watkins, an employee at Heffernan Insurance Brokers in Walnut Creek, Calif., as she lost 52 pounds through hard work, determination and help from her company’s wellness program. At the end of the article, you can learn more about how to submit your company as a candidate for the BeneFIT Success series.

But here’s a secret: Originally, we intended to name the series “The Biggest Loser,” but couldn’t because of trademarks held by the hit NBC TV show.

Yet, as fate would have it, the BeneFIT Success series still ended up linked to “The Biggest Loser.” That’s because, just in time for the launch of the series, the latest episode of EBN’s podcast series “Five Minutes With …” features an interview with John Schilhab, executive vice president at BioSignia, the company behind the technology that drives the Know Your Number and Inner Age systems featured on the “The Biggest Loser.”

How’s that for serendipity? Download the podcast to hear Schilhab discuss how the relationship with the show came about, the inner workings behind the technology and how it can be applied to an employer population.

Then, share your thoughts in the comments about the series and whether such health risk technology truly makes a positive difference in employers’ wellness efforts (one of EBN’s Contributing Editors says no.).