Concerned with the obesity in the nation, three local organizations are teaming up to show four films created by HBO, Kaiser Permanente and the Institute of Medicine, entitled The Weight of the Nation, about the problem.
LiveWell Montezuma, Southwest Memorial Hospital and the Heart and Soul Project will hold the free showings in Cortez, Dolores and Mancos.
The series of four films, called Consequences, Choices, Children in Crisis and Challenges are meant to explore the topic from a variety of angles.
The series will be shown in Cortez at the Methodist Church on Sept. 17, Oct. 1, Oct. 15 and Oct. 29; at the the Mancos Community Center on Sept. 24, Oct. 8, Oct. 22 and Nov. 5; and at the Dolores Community Center on Sept. 25, Oct. 9, Oct. 23 and Nov. 6.
All movies will run from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. with a one-hour discussion segment following the film, and potlucks will take place at each showing from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m.
JoDee Powers, project coordinator for LiveWell Montezuma, said the showings of the films are funded through a $12,000 grant from the Colorado Trust for 12 showings.
We want everyone to attend and learn about obesity, said Megan Coxwell, another project coordinator with LiveWell.
Coxwell said the films will discuss the reasons for being overweight, with ways to solve the problem.
Powers said the producers and creators of the film series traveled the country to talk and interview people from all walks of life about their views on the obesity issue.
She said in todays world there is an increasing culture of obtaining and consuming non nutritious foods without thinking about the ramifications.
We live in a culture of cheap, fast food, Powers said, adding the films will focus on the regular person rather than actors or actresses playing a role.
LiveWell Montezuma is hoping to attract 50 to 60 people in Cortez at the Methodist Church for the showings, with another 25 to 30 people in both Mancos and Dolores.
According to the fact sheet from LiveWell, obesity costs the nation almost $147 billion annually and the causes include genetics and biology, to the environments people live and work in, to the business of food and farming in America with the choices people make in what food to eat.
Prior to the films, a potluck with dishes from Eat Local Eat Healthy restaurants as well as from film attendees will take place from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m.
For more information contact Powers at lwmontezuma@gmail.com.
michaelm@cortezjournal.com