HBO confronts obesity epidemic

America is facing an obesity epidemic.

Two-thirds of American adults and one-third of children are overweight or obese.

By 2030, experts predict 42 percent of Americans will be obese.

HBO has partnered with the Institute of Medicine to confront the obesity epidemic through a four-part documentary, The Weight of the Nation.

(The IOM also produced this cool infographic about obesity with stats like 20 percent of the weight increase in the U.S. between 1977 and 2007 is attributed to sugar-sweetened beverages.)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and Kaiser Permanente also worked on the project.

Parts one and two of the documentary aired on HBO Monday night. Parts three and four air tonight.

For those without the HBO channel, all four parts are available online. The Weight of the Nation website also includes loads of information about obesity, resources and tips.

The first part of the documentary, “Consequences,” examines the scope of the obesity epidemic and explores the health consequences of being overweight or obese.

The second, “Choices,” offers viewers the skinny on fat, revealing what science has shown about how to lose weight, maintain weight loss and prevent weight gain.

The third part, “Children in Crisis,” documents the damage obesity is doing to our nation’s children.

And the final part, “Challenges,” examines the major driving forces causing the obesity epidemic.

Kaiser Permanente and Clark County will host a free screening of the third episode, “Children in Crisis” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 31 at the Vancouver Community Library, Columbia Room, 901 C Street.

Have you watched any episodes of The Weight of the Nation? If so, what did you think?