Special Screening of New Film "America the Beautiful 2: The Thin Commandments" to be Held at MIT

BOSTON, Feb. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Is America obsessed with dieting? This thought-provoking question is explored and exposed in the compelling new documentary, "America the Beautiful 2: The Thin Commandments" by director Darryl Roberts.

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Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, Active Minds @ MIT and ELA are hosting a free special screening of Roberts' new film. The event will be held from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Friday, February 24 at MIT, Building 10, Room 250 in Cambridge. The event, free and open to the public, will offer complimentary hors d'oeuvres and refreshments as well as a panel discussion of leading eating disorder experts post screening.  Kim Dennis, MD, medical director of Timberline Knolls, is featured in the film.

"Timberline Knolls is committed to eating disorder education," said James Gresham, CEO of Timberline Knolls.  "Supporting this film is one more way we can raise awareness of these devastating disorders, especially on college campuses where the problem can be so pervasive."

Roberts is an award-winning director who created the noteworthy documentary "America the Beautiful" in 2008 that focused on our country's obsession with beauty and thinness.  His new film examines the cause of our country's obsession with dieting and weighs in on the raging battle between doctors who say fat is healthy versus those who disagree.  The film offers a passionate and sometimes humorous documentation of the battle to be thin.

"It's becoming bigger than I imagined," said Roberts about the film's popularity since its recent debut in New York and Los Angeles.  "Initially people in Hollywood told me that a film challenging the conventional use of BMI would never be accepted because everyone uses BMI for health and weight measurement.  Because of the sold-out premieres, the industry is softening its position. My new film is all about starting the dialogue of ways we all can lead a healthy lifestyle. I don't have all of the answers, but as a filmmaker my job is to start the discussion."

"Join me as I set out to expose organizations, companies and government officials that are acting in a manner that sets us back in the health debate," adds Roberts. "We can be healthy at a wide variety of sizes and as you'll see in the film, I'm proof of that."

Following the film, the panel will feature:  Darryl Roberts; Susanna (Zan) Barry, senior program manager in Community Wellness at MIT; Dr. Dennis; Juliet Zuercher, registered dietitian, nutrition coordinator, from Timberline Knolls; Dr. Roberto Olivardia and Dr. Sherrie Delinsky, both assistant psychologists at McLean Hospital and clinical instructors of psychology at Harvard Medical School; and Whitney Post, president and co-founder of ELA.

Registration is required to attend the event. Those interested can register at the following: www.TimberlineKnolls.org/MIT

About Timberline Knolls:

Timberline Knolls is a leading private residential treatment center for women and adolescent girls (ages 12 – 65+) with eating disorders, substance abuse, trauma, mood and co-occurring disorders.  Located in suburban Chicago, residents receive excellent clinical care from a highly trained professional staff on a picturesque 43-acre wooded campus.  Women and families seeking Christian treatment can opt for specialized Christian-based therapy.  For more information on Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, call us at 877.257.9611.

About ELA:

Eating For Life Alliance (ELA) is dedicated to making user-friendly information, resources, protocols, and the wisdom of the nation's experts- available to everyone. College is not only a time when eating disorders often develop — but an excellent time to address and heal from them. For more information, visit www.eatingforlife.org.

About Active Minds @ MIT

Active Minds @ MIT utilizes peer outreach ("the student voice") to increase students' awareness of issues of mental health, symptoms of mental illness, and available resources for seeking help.  They serve as a liaison between students and the administration/mental health community, and become the major point of reference for mental illness and promotion of good mental health. For more information, please visit http://web.mit.edu/activeminds.

Available Topic Expert: For information on the listed expert, click appropriate link:
Kim Dennis
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=105229

Contact:
Mary Anne Morrow
[email protected]
Tel: 602-359-6989

SOURCE Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center