Super Size Me is a documentary by Morgan Spurlock detailing the health and life of a "heavy user" at McDonalds. Driven by a pending lawsuit against the food giant by two girls and a Surgeon General's warning about obesity in America, the experiment led several doctors and nutritionists in shock.
Briefly, over a month period, Morgan eats, sleeps, and dreams McDonald’s fast food. The rules to his experiment are straightforward: (1) Three meals a day, (2) must sample every item on the menu during the experiment time, (3) must only eat what is present on the McDonalds menu (including d
rinks), (4) must "super-size" only when asked, and (5) must attempt to walk as much as the average US citizen. Over this period, we watch the drastic change in Morgan both physically, mentally, and emotionally. Shortly after the beginning of the experiment, Morgan claims feelings of depression and lethargy. These feelings, similarly, go away when he eats McDonalds, causing one doctor to describe him as addicted. On day 21, Morgan experiences abnormal beatings of his heart. His doctor strongly urges him to quit his experiment and begin reversing the damage, but Morgan continues the film. By the conclusion, he gained 24.5 pounds which took him over a year to lose.
One of the more interesting arguments was the slight reference of the Fast Food Industry to the Tobacco industry. Though both operate on very different levels, both contribute substances that are both addictive and harmful. The levels of liability legislature protecting both of these were interesting.
There is much more to the story, and for those of you who have not seen the movie, I recommend it. Watch it on Hulu!
http://www.hulu.com/watch/63283/super-size-me
Additionally, it is worth noting some (only a few of many) of the criticisms of the movie:
-Swedish scientist Fredrik Nyström reproduced the experiment with results that slightly mimic the documentary, but at the same time are only minimal to what was shown.
-Professor James Painter reproduced the experiment with different rules. Participants stuck to a fast food diet, but only ate in proper portions. It was reported by the end of the experiment that both participants lost weight and had an improved cholesterol level.
-McDonald's claims that the results of overeating would have been the same, regardless of the food.
I really do recommend watching Supersize Me! It's incredibly amusing, even if it doesn't change your attitude towards fast food. Actually, that's what I liked about it. It was somewhat enlightening, but its message had a lightheartedness to it lacking in some of the more self-righteous documentaries I've seen around.
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