“Super Size Me” by Morgan Spurlock

Super Size Me is an extreme example of transformative consumer research looking at consumption issues in our country as well as the lack of ethics in the food industry. For 30 days Morgan Spurlock ate nothing but McDonalds; 3 times a day, trying everything on the menu at least once. He walked about 5,000 steps a day, the average steps an American male takes, but did no other exercise other than that. The final rule was he must Super Size any meal if offered. Spurlock was interested in further exploring the root causes of the obesity epidemic in the United States. Spurlock was able to track his on physical demise during this time period in order to demonstrate how the fast food industry is actively promoting poor nutrition in order to turn a profit. For Spurlock, the physical effects were brutal but the film really sheds light on the fact that no one has it worse than the low-income families who turn to fast food restaurants as a cheap and convenient way to feed their family every day.

Watching Super Size Me is not for the faint of heart. From the beginning the physical effects on Spurlock are clear. Just 5 days into the experiment Spurlock throws up on film after eating his first super sized meal and has already gained 5% BMI. This statistic in particular nearly blew my mind. This is obviously an extreme case but if we think about the number of families in America that are averaging in 5 fast food meals a week it only takes 3 weeks of eating fast food before their body experiences similar affects as Spurlock. Very early on in the film the causes behind the American obesity epidemic are already becoming clear.

By two weeks into the experiment Spurlock begins experiencing mental effects from his diet. He is actually depressed when he is not eating McDonalds, almost going through withdrawals from the high levels of sodium and sugar. Spurlocks' girlfriend makes a point to say the effects of the experiment are clear as he has lost most of his energy and sex drive. It is not a secret that a poor diet leads to a decrease in mental moral and can even lead to depression. Despite this being generally known, fast food is still the most readily and affordable food option in our country. Other than the mental effects, in week 2 Spurlock feels sick and starts to develop chest pressure.

By the time week 3 rolls around the physical effects of eating 3 fast food meals a day become nearly life threatening. Spurlock has trouble breathing, heart palpitations, has gained 17 pounds and is even warned he is on the path towards liver failure. This part of the documentary left me all but speechless. As mentioned earlier obviously no American family is eating 3 fast food meals a day. That being said the average American will eat fast foot 159 times a year or about 3 times a week. The fact that a restaurant can sell a product that is giving a man heart palpitations is mind numbing. It leaves me at a loss of words and highlights one of the many flaws in the American system.

In the final week Spurlock does his final physicals and we get to see the full circle results the experiment has had on him. To summarize the effects of eating McDonalds 3 times a day for 4 weeks Spurlock gain 24 pounds, 13% Body mass increase, and a 230 mg/dL increase to his cholesterol. The film ends with a powerful question; who do you want to see go first, you or them?

Super Size Me highlights the flaws in the American system particularly when it comes to food consumption. I think it is generally accepted eating McDonalds 3 times a day is not good for you but Spurlock was able to demonstrate in this film that eating a life time of McDonalds very well way kill you. The physical effects experiences by Spurlock during this time period coupled with consumption statics like how many Americans are actually eating fast food should strike fear in the heart of our government and policy makers. Unfortunately, the government has sat quietly and let this fast food corporations sacrifice public well-being for profit. I think the unfortunate reality that due to varying level of incomes this does not affect many Americans such as the rich policy makers who ate very little fast food as is. This leaves me wondering who is looking out for the little guy, the family of 6 in low income housing with limited food options. The unfortunate reality of the situation to date is that no one is.

This film really made me think about my time studying abroad in Glasgow, Scotland. I remember complaining to my parents in the beginning about the price of groceries and the small sizes. Looking back at it now these complaints are almost comical. I was complaining because the Scottish government actually cares about the well-being of their people. There were tremendously different standards in terms of what could be sold and an extreme reduction in the number or pesticides. Fruits and vegetables were similarly priced as things like chips and cookies rather than radically more expensive like they are in America.

Super Size Me summarizes the magnitude of the consumption problem in our country and the lack of ethics in the food industry.

Cite this page