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What is healthy?

James Madison University will spotlight Darryl Roberts, an acclaimed writer, producer and director, who will discuss his self-directed film, “America the Beautiful: Health for Sale.” The film screening takes place Tuesday, March 29 at 7 p.m. in Grafton-Stovall Theatre, followed by a question-and-answer session with Roberts.

The University Health Center’s Student Wellness and Outreachis sponsoring the free movie screening. A reception to meet the director will take place the same day from 1:30-3 p.m. in Room 404 of Taylor Hall. All events are free and open to the public.

Robert’s new film is a sequel to his 2008 documentary, “America the Beautiful,” which analyzes America’s unhealthy obsession with body image and appearance.

The sequel, “America the Beautiful: Health for Sale,” discusses topics such as plastic surgery, celebrity worship and the media’s role in creating our health expectations. The main idea of the movie follows that “being healthy” isn’t a one-size-fits-all term.

The movie also covers the topic of body mass index and how it is used to diagnose people as being obese, overweight or normal. The problem, according to the movie, is that BMI is very objective and does not take into account a person’s lifestyle, including their diet and exercise routines.

The movie suggests many people associate being overweight with being dumb, lazy and even at times associate being fat with being a part of a lower social class.

“America the Beautiful: Health for Sale” interviews many credible authors, psychologists and sources in order to address these myths and give a new meaning to the term “healthy.”

For more information, contact Ann Simmons, coordinator of marketing and programming for JMU’s Student Wellness and Outreach office, at (540) 568-3503 or simmonae@jmu.edu.