Through special arrangements with HBO, the four-part documentary series “The Weight of the Nation” will air free in Muskogee during the next four weeks.  Anyone with access to public cable access Channel 14 (the city of Muskogee channel) or Channel 15 (Muskogee Public Schools channel) will be able to view the documentaries.  An HBO subscription is not required.

“The Weight of the Nation” documentary series features case studies, interviews with national experts, and individuals and their families struggling with obesity.   The films will air free each Tuesday at 8 p.m. on Channel 15 and Thursday at 6:30 p.m. on Channel 14 beginning today.

The first program, “Consequences,” examines the scope of the obesity epidemic and explores the serious health consequences of being overweight or obese.  “Consequences” airs 8 p.m. tonight at 8 p.m. on Channel 15 and 6:30 p.m. Thursday on Channel 14.

The second program, “Choices,” offers viewers the skinny on fat, revealing what science has shown about how to lose weight, maintain weight loss  and prevent weight gain.  “Choices” airs 8 p.m. Nov. 20 on Channel 15 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 22 on Channel 14.

The third program, “Children in Crisis,” documents the damage obesity is doing to our nation’s children. Through individual stories, this film describes how  the strong forces at work in our society are causing children to consume too many calories and expend too little energy; tackling subjects from school lunches to the decline of physical education, the demise of school recess and the marketing  of unhealthy food to children.

“Children in Crisis” airs 8 p.m. Nov. 27 on Channel 15 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 29  on Channel 14.

The fourth episode, “Challenges,” examines the major driving forces causing the obesity epidemic, including agriculture, economics, evolutionary biology,  food marketing, racial and socioeconomic disparities, physical inactivity, American food culture, and the strong influence  of the food and beverage industry.

“Challenges”  airs 8 p.m. Dec. 4 on Channel 15 and 6:30 p.m. on Channel 14.

Obesity is a growing and dangerous epidemic facing our community.  For the first time in history, experts predict this generation of children may have shorter life spans than their parents, largely due to poor nutrition and physical inactivity.