THE CHILDHOOD OBESITY PROJECT
Directed by Jack Truman
A Feature Documentary Film
What if Childhood Obesity was considered Legalized Child Abuse?
My name is Jack Truman. I am an independent filmmaker. And am proud to begin production on THE CHILDHOOD OBESITY PROJECT, a feature documentary about Childhood Obesity, Child Abuse, Health, Nutrition and Diet.
Nothing in this world is more important or passionate to me than protecting the life of a child. We have to protect our children. Childhood Obesity has become a Global Epidemic. With over 70 percent of Americans being considered Obese, it is scary to imagine what is ahead for our next generation. Change has to happen. And THE CHILDHOOD OBESITY PROJECT is a film project that is designed to open people's eyes and trigger a change.
THE CHILDHOOD OBESITY PROJECT is a feature film documentary about the possible direct link between Childhood Obesity and Child Abuse, and healthy lifestyle choices. Through extensive research, it has been discovered that Childhood Obesity fits the legal definition of Child Abuse. Through this film, I will inform, educate and open people's eyes to the possibility that Childhood Obesity should be considered legalized Child Abuse.
The legal definition of Child Abuse is defined as physical, sexual or emotional mistreatment or neglect of a child. Child Abuse has been defined as an act, or failure to act, on the part of a parent or caretaker that results in the death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation of a child, or which places the child in imminent risk of serious harm, as defined by the Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) (42 U.S.C.A. 5106g).
Childhood Obesity has become a global epidemic. It is horrific and terrifying what has happened to our children in this world with this contemporary social issue. Change has to happen now to reverse the direction the world is heading with our children. This interesting topic reflects a challenge facing a global community, has contemporary social and worldwide relevance, and can impact, effect and open eyes to all people across our planet. The reason I am pursuing this project as a filmmaker is because I want to make films about the things that are most important to me personally. And nothing is more important to me than saving the life of a child. I want to use film as a tool to share with the world a subject that is close to my heart, show people things they do not know and may be afraid to know, and trigger a revolution for change. To save our children. I grew up in Southwest Missouri, in a rural area that today, per capita, is the most obese area in America.
It is a basic human right to be healthy. And it is time to make this movie.
Shooting will take place over 3 months nationwide. Our small crew will travel the country to 5 select cities that lead the nation in Obesity. In those cities, we will be interviewing with leading experts in Childhood Obesity, Health, Nutrition and Child Abuse; Political figures; Social Workers on both a national and local community level; Vegan, Vegetarian and Healthy Living Experts; and individual personal stories.
Characters will include a family in each of these cities that has a child struggling with extreme obesity, that are looking for help, and wanting to share their story; local child abuse authorities, social workers, health and nutrition experts from a community level; local schools and educational resources that work with healthy options; and the journey over this year with these subjects as we document their stories, to show the universal problem that needs to change.
This film already has a base of over 150 interview and resource subjects nationwide that want to be a part of this film.
With this film THE CHILDHOOD OBESITY PROJECT, I want to engage the audience and motivate them to make healthy lifestyle choices. This film will also provide solutions to help prevent and reverse Childhood Obesity through Diet and Exercise.
If we all work together, we can make this movie, and get a message out to help change the world.
About the Director:
JACK TRUMAN is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, director and 30 year veteran of stage and film. A former college professor at Texas A&M, his films have screened at over 400 film festivals worldwide to date. He has a Master's degree in Communications and a Bachelor's degree in Business.
