BSOM to host advance screening of HBO’s “The Weight of the Nation”

By 2030, 42 percent of adults in the United States will be obese, up from 36 percent today, according to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and health departments in the United States.

To bring this topic to light, the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine Physician Leadership Development Program and the Gamma Alpha Chapter, Delta Omega public health honor society are presenting an advance screening of the HBO documentary series “The Weight of the Nation.” Free and open to the public, this four-film series addresses our country’s obesity epidemic.

Obesity in America has reached a catastrophic level. Almost every aspect of our lives is threatened. The first step toward ending the damage is learning how to fight back. Each film in the series features case studies, interviews with our nation’s leading experts and individuals and their families struggling with obesity.

The films will run in May at White Hall on the Wright State University campus and will be accompanied by a panel of local health professionals to discuss the topics presented and answer audience questions.

Screening Schedule:

Thursday, May 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: “Consequences”—examines the scope of the obesity epidemic and explores the serious health consequences of being overweight or obese.

Panelists:
—Miryoung Lee, Ph.D., assistant professor, Boonshoft School of Medicine Lifespan Health Research Center
—Audrey Choh, Ph.D., research assistant professor, Boonshoft School of Medicine Lifespan Health Research Center

Monday, May 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: “Choices” —offers viewers the skinny on fat, revealing what science has shown about how to lose weight, maintain weight loss and prevent weight gain.

Panelists:
—Marietta Orlowski, Ph.D., associate professor, Boonshoft School of Medicine Department of Community Health
—Paul Hershberger, Ph.D., professor, Boonshoft School of Medicine Department of Family Medicine
—Cindy Giurino, R.D., L.D., C.D.E., medical nutrition therapist and adjunct instructor, Wright State University Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Thursday, May 17, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: “Children in Crisis”—discusses the concern that this may be the first generation of American children who will have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.

Panelists:
—James Ebert, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H., Boonshoft School of Medicine Oscar Boonshoft Chair and Director, Center for Global Health, and lead physician, Lipid Clinic, Children’s Medical Center of Dayton
—Rachel Riddiford, M.S., R.D., L.D., manager, Nutrition Clinic, Children’s Medical Center of Dayton
—Bruce Barcelo M.S., CTTS, GetUP Montgomery County, Public Health—Dayton and Montgomery County

Monday, May 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: “Challenges”—examines the origins and severity of the obesity epidemic, examines its major driving forces and looks at opportunities for communities to fight back.

Panelists:
—Gary LeRoy, M.D., Boonshoft School of Medicine associate dean for student affairs and admissions, and medical director, East Dayton Health Center
—Susan McGovern, executive director, Diabetes Association of the Dayton Area

For more information about the screening at WSU, please contact Carla Lachecki, carla.lachecki@wright.edu or 258-5554.

To learn more about the series and to view a trailer, visit: http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com.