Jefferson County, AL (PRWEB) June 07, 2012

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Seventy, 70 percent of Alabamians are overweight or obese. Obesity contributes to five of the 10 leading causes of death in America, including heart disease, type-2 diabetes, many cancers and stroke. Members of many Central Alabama communities are fighting back and hoping more public engagement will accelerate progress.

As part of the its ongoing effort to curb the obesity epidemic in Jefferson County, the Health Action Partnership will co-host a free viewing of the groundbreaking HBO documentary, ?The Weight of the Nation.? The event, which kicks off Birmingham Botanical Gardens? documentary film series celebrating Alabama Department of Tourism?s ?Year of Alabama Food,? will be held in the Linn-Henley Auditorium at The Gardens on Sunday, June 24 at 2 p.m.

Three years in the making, ?The Weight of the Nation? examines the facts and myths of this urgent public health issue, showing how obesity affects the health of the nation and the health care system. The four-part film features case studies and interviews with leading experts, individuals and families struggling with obesity. The series also highlights how individuals, work sites, and communities are making positive changes.

The documentary?s fourth part, ?Challenges? ? the portion that will be shown June 24 ? looks at the severity and origins of obesity?s rise and considers the challenges for those struggling with overweight and obesity. It also presents opportunities and solutions for communities to fight the epidemic.

A comprehensive panel discussion and Q&A session will follow the screening, and attendees will be given tips and materials for managing a healthy lifestyle and for making positive changes in their community. The panel will be moderated by Ashley Obiaka, obesity prevention program manager at United Way of Central Alabama, and will include Dr. Jose Fernandez, from the UAB Department of Nutrition Sciences; Sandra Koulourides, founder of Fuel + Fitness; and fitness and nutrition expert Jerri Haslem.

?Obesity is a serious threat to the well-being of our nation,? Obiaka said. ?We need to intensify the conversation and facilitate community action to help bring down obesity rates and improve the quality of life for those who live and work in Jefferson County.?

Champions for Health is an initiative of the Jefferson County Health Action Partnership ? a coalition of more than 100 nonprofit organizations working alongside the Jefferson County Department of Health ? to advance smoke-free policies, reduce tobacco use, encourage physical activity, reduce obesity, expand food access, and improve the overall health of Jefferson County residents. Champions for Health is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.championsforhealth.org

?The Weight of the Nation? is a presentation of HBO and the Institute of Medicine, in association with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health, and in partnership with the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and Kaiser Permanente. http://www.hbo.com/theweightofthenation

Birmingham Botanical Gardens is Alabama’s largest living museum with more than 12,000 different plants in its living collections. The Gardens’ 67.5 acres contains more than 25 unique gardens, 30+ works of original outdoor sculpture and miles of serene paths. The Gardens features the largest public horticulture library in the U.S., conservatories, a wildflower garden, two rose gardens, the Southern Living garden, and Japanese Gardens with a traditionally crafted tea house. Education programs run year round and more than 10,000 school children enjoy free science-curriculum based field trips annually. The Gardens is open daily, offering free admission to more than 350,000 yearly visitors. http://www.bbgardens.org