The Weight of the Nation (HBO)

About The Weight of the Nation

"The Weight of the Nation" is a four-part series broadcasted on HBO in 2012. It's a powerful and intense look into obesity, one of the most severe health issues in America today. It seeks to increase acknowledgment and understanding of this crisis while exploring innovative and comprehensive solutions. The series is the product of a three-year collaboration between HBO and the Institute of Medicine (IOM), in association with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Making / Production

Directed by Dan Chaykin and Shari Cookson, the series took numerous years of research and production, incorporating interviews with the nation's leading researchers and citizen families struggling with obesity. The filmmakers had unprecedented access to experts in various health-related fields and were able to create a comprehensive view of the issue.

Actors

• Shari Cookson - The co-director and co-producer managed to position the series as compelling and thought provoking. Though not featuring on-screen, her role was instrumental in shaping the final output.
• Michael Pollan - Appears as himself, as a food expert and author, offering unique perspectives on food industries and their impact on obesity.
• Barack Obama - Appears in archival footage as himself, showing political involvement in the obesity crisis.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The four parts of the series are "Consequences," "Choices," "Children in Crisis," and "Challenges."
• The series is enhanced with 13 short films, available for free viewing, that expand on the issues raised in the documentaries.
• The series was not intended for profit, but rather as a public awareness campaign. HBO released it for free streaming on its website once it premiered.

Awards

No notable awards have been won by "The Weight of the Nation."

Quotes

• "We're in the midst of a public health crisis that is still largely invisible."
• "Obesity is the single greatest threat to public health in this century."

Music, Soundtrack

• The series had a powerfully resonant soundtrack, though the original music was not released separately.