"...The U.S. Surgeon General has declared childhood obesity a national epidemic, estimating that more than six million American Children are obese, with five million more at risk." Thus begins an article by Barry Willis of the Marin Independent Journal. He describes a new documentary, "The Weight of Obesity - A Balanced Reality" by filmmaker Mickey Freeman.

"It's a complex issue," Freeman says, describing the problem as a combination of "self-esteem issues, inactivity, TV marketing, ignorance about diet and nutrition" and what he calls "the erosion of the family meal."

"He contends that over the past two decades, families have become mere collections of individuals residing under the same roof, not connecting with each other. Despite hectically overscheduled lives, kids often feel isolated and become depressed, taking solace in food. High divorce rates and the commonplace situation of both parents holding down demanding jobs has all but eliminated the family meal."

"One of the oldest and most important social rituals has almost disappeared," he says.

Read the entire article at: http://www.marinij.com/portlet/article/html/fragments/print_article.jsp?

You can visit Mickey Freeman at:
www.weightofobesity.org

Posted by Barbara at 10/26/2005 09:19:00 AM | Link