title: Impact of Weight of the Nation Community Screenings on Obesity-Related Beliefs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  HBO's Weight of the Nation was a collaborative effort among several national organizations to raise awareness about the complexity of the obesity epidemic and promote action through media and community forums. The primary aim of this study was to assess the short-term effects of Weight of the Nation community screenings on obesity-related beliefs, intentions, and policy support.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five Prevention Research Centers across the U.S. administered surveys at nine Weight of the Nation community screenings between September 2012 and May 2013. Adults aged ≥18 years who completed pre-post surveys were included. The survey assessed demographic information, perceptions of the documentary, efficacy to take action and influence policies that affect obesity, intentions to take actions to support a healthy weight, and positions on policy changes that impact food systems. Data were analyzed in 2015.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A convenience sample of 442 individuals completed surveys. The sample was mostly health workers, female, college educated, aged 25-44 years, and racially and ethnically diverse. Significant increases (p<0.001) were observed for perceived self- and collective efficacy that individuals and communities can influence policies and environmental factors that affect obesity, intentions to take actions that contribute to a healthy weight, and support for policies that change the food system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A broad, nationwide effort, such as Weight of the Nation, that combines media with opportunities to bring community members together for discussion, may play a role in influencing beliefs, intentions, and policy support regarding obesity prevention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Courtney T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Luecking
authors.affiliation: School of Media and Journalism, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Seth M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Noar
authors.affiliation: North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Rachel M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Dooley
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Ziya
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gizlice
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Electronic address: noar@email.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Alice S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ammerman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009040:Motion Pictures; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult