Weight of the Nation is a series of films about the health and eating habits of the country.
Film one, Consequences, explores the serious health consequences of being overweight and obese such as an increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers and stroke. It looks at the scope of the obesity epidemic, while delivering shocking statistics like 69 percent of American adults are overweight. With a mixture of science and personal stories Consequences explores the deadly mixture of poor nutrition accompanied by a sedentary lifestyle.
Film two, Choices, helps the viewer to understand the biological factors that affect each person along with the environmental impacts on their own chemical makeup. Pitting those factors against personal choices this film explores the success of making positive life style changes. While there are quick fixes fad diets, pills, even radical decisions like surgery, this film presents the argument that the best choice is the small steps we take towards long term life choices.
Film three, Children in Crisis, exposes the very real health risks that face our children today, while giving parents tools to help their children make healthier choices. In our society our children are bombarded with commercials, 98 percent of which are for foods high in fat, sugar and loaded with calories. Forty to fifty percent of a childs caloric intake is consumed at school while over 94 percent of schools exceed federal limits for fat and saturated fat. Adding to this problem there is now a limited access for children to activity during the school day. New nutrition standards can help, but parents are also the key to promoting healthy lifestyles for their children.
Film four, Challenges, takes a deeper look at the severity of the consequences of this epidemic, not only health risks, but what is happening to our heath system and the fiscal challenges we as a society face when we must deal with such far reaching consequences of the obesity issue. This film also takes us on a journey about the origin of this problem. Exploring a variety of topics such as genetics and environmental factors to evolutionary biology. This film discusses the growth of the food industry, the impact of processed food and the new role of small farmers in the US.
The dates for each of the films to be shown are as follows:
Mancos: Community Center, Sept. 24, Oct. 8, Oct. 22, Nov. 5
Dolores: Community Center, Sept. 25, Oct. 9, Oct. 23, Nov. 6 (The final showing in Dolores will be at the High School instead of the Community Center.)
Times for each of these screenings:
5:45-6:30 p.m. Local Food Potluck Bring a dish to share with local food and conversation with friends
6:30-7:30 p.m. Film showing
7:30-8:30 p.m. Discussion and conversation about issues and solutions
