Lacy Deniz
Hawaii 24/7 Student Reporter

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii presents an advance screening of HBO’s documentary, “The Weight of the Nation” at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May at the Palace Theater in Hilo.

The four-part documentary features case studies, as well as interviews with experts, individuals, and families batting with obesity. Part 1 of the series “Consequences” will be shown at the Hilo screening.

“Consequences” covers the obesity epidemic and explores the health ramifications associated with being obese.

After the screening, a public forum will provide the opportunity for further discussion of the issue with local experts. The goal of this event is to commence a continuing dialogue about improving the health of the community.

“Kaiser Permanente’s Community Health Initiatives for Healthy Eating Active Living support more than 40 obesity prevention collaboratives, which aim to increase access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity in schools, neighborhoods and workplaces,” said Laura Lott, director of community public relations for Kaiser Permanente Hawaii

In the United States, the number of overweight children has drastically increased in the last 30 years, Lott said. This increase has even reached its grasp on Hawaii’s keiki.

Lott said, “The best thing about this initiative is it seems to be bringing together lots of different types of people.”

Through spreading awareness about this issue, more people are wanting to take initiative in helping to alleviate this problem, she said. Whether it be building more bike trails for people to become more physically active, or building school gardens at schools to implement healthy eating initiatives; every little bit will help to stop the fight against obesity.

“Hopefully it will ignite a collaboaration, because it will take everyone to solve this problem,” she said.

Kaiser Permanente has partnered with HBO, the institute of Medicine, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on The Weight of the Nation campaign.

The entire documentary series airs Monday, May 14 on HBO. It will include a three-part HBO Family series, 14 bonus shorts, a social media campaign, a book published by St. Marin’s Press and a nationwide community based outreach campaign.

— Find out more:
www.theweightofthenation.hbo.com
www.kp.org/communitybenefit