Kathryn Thomas shared her view on the recent criticisms surrounding Operation Transformation, the popular RTE show of which she is the host.
Speaking to RTE, she claimed that the show was about about "so much more" than weight loss.
"Down the years OT has run a number of campaigns that have been hugely influential in educating the population about health and well-being," she said.
"We’ve all been there at one time or another when we haven’t felt our best. But of course every person is different: what works for one might not necessarily work for another."
She also described the show as "important" and said that it's "educational and entertaining".
She said: "We work with people who are concerned about their health and well-being and are stuck in a rut. They come to us and the panel of experts, and learn the tools to get themselves out of that rut."
Last week, a petition to axe the show reached almost 8,000 signatures.
Uplift campaigner Sinead Crowe, from Intuitive Eating Ireland, said Ireland should not be “contributing to weight stigma”.
The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland, Bodywhys, released a statement that labelled the show "triggering" for some of their service users.
Meanwhile, an RTE spokesperson said: "Now in its 15th season, Operation Transformation has evolved considerably over the years and now encompasses a more holistic approach to adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle as well as losing weight."
They went on to reference a 2021 study from Healthy Ireland which evaluated the effectiveness of the programme and revealed that of those who watched the show, 74% said that they had made one or more positive lifestyle changes as a result of watching.
They added: "Operation Transformation prides itself on bringing communities together and getting them up and out in order to improve both their physical and mental health."
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