The Main Message of The Documentary Super Size Me

The 2004 Documentary Film, “Super Size Me” is filmed and directed by Morgan Spurlock. Born on November 7, 1970, the American filmmaker is known for his crazy experiments. In this particular documentary, Spurlock follows a 30-day period from February 1st to March 2nd, 2003 in which he only consumes McDonald’s food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The main goal and purpose of this experiment was to determine the effects it would take on his body. Spurlock wanted to experience the results of his diet physically, emotionally, and mentally. I believe that the bigger picture of this film was to spread awareness not only to those who are already obese but to those who don’t live a healthy lifestyle in general. Everyone has inevitable unhealthy habits and we must learn about them along with their extreme consequences. This film also included help from a Cardiologist, a Gastroenterologist, an Exercise Physiologist, a Dietitian, and a General Practitioner.

The informative documentary begins by providing the audience with statistics based upon the United States and its obesity problem. The United States is known as the fattest nation in the world in which more than 60% of all adults or roughly more 100,000,000 are overweight and obese. This steady growing trend causes more than 400,000 deaths per year. Many people sued Fast food restaurants and blamed the company for the cause of their obesity. Approximately 1 in 4 people visit fast food places on a daily and about 60% of Americans do not get exercise. The McDonald’s food chain specifically serves around 46 million people nationwide as it makes up 43% fast food market of the country. Since these statistics are incredibly high for negative reasons, it should persuade others to become self-aware of their lifestyles. Spurlock uses interviews from places around the nation as a form to confirm the credibility behind these numbers. Given the fact that they are convenient, people quickly lean towards unhealthy choices as opposed to the healthy ones. Many people have sued McDonald’s in the past for the cause of their obesity along with many health issues. Symptoms included but aren’t limited to: twitching, sweating, fatigue, hurting, pain, swelling, headaches and chest pains. These symptoms are linked to hypertension, heart disease, stroke, cancer, asthma, high blood pressure, arthritis, liver failure, eyesight loss, sleep apnea, inflammation, diabetes and much more. Most fast foods don’t usually disclose nutritional facts due to these reasons.

Prior to starting the 30-day Mcdonald’s diet, Morgan Spurlock had no health problems. The doctors said that he was not obese and he was in fact, at the ideal weight for his age, gender, and height. After going through a series of tests, Spurlock was proven to have good iron, great blood test results, and perfectly functioning organs at the start of the experiment. He was in great shape and was considered average or normal. On day 1 of the diet, Spurlock enjoyed the food and savored what he hasn’t had in years. He loved the burgers, fries, and shakes just like a majority of the population. On day 2, however, Spurlock threw up. I’m guessing it was due to the change of nutrition his body was noticing. Throughout the month, Spurlock pushed his limits was eating 200% calories over what he needed. The cycle continues and each day he felt worse and worse. On day 7, he began to feel depressed. Spurlock reveals that he feels awful for a short period of time but usually forgets about it after eating. He feels good after taking in large amounts of calories. This could explain why people turn to food in replace of alcohol or drugs. Stress eating or bad eating habits in general usually run in the family, but not necessarily true for all cases. Many people also turn to surgeries and procedures to lessen obesity instead of working out and exercising because great results can show in just a short period of time. On day 21, Spurlock had difficulty breathing and experienced heart palpitations. He chose to ignore the red flags, although the doctors advised him to stop. He chose to continue the experiment when he knew it could eventually be life- threatening. This is not an example of critical thinking. Spurlock should have weighed the pros and cons first before deciding to continue. On day 29, Spurlock was struggling to go up the stairs in his own home. By day 30 he had gained a total of 24 pounds, his liver turned into fat, his cholesterol went up by 25%, consumed a total of 30 pounds of sugar and his body fat increased by 7%.

Overall, he experienced mood swings, continuous migraines, fatigue, depression, and his sex life was nonexistent. His statistics later revealed that he had more than doubled his chances of getting heart disease and heart failure. Morgan Spurlock later ends the documentary by saying, “Getting your money’s worth of cheap food is not worth the harm it does to your liver, heart, and blood.” Although advertising is powerful, it is still wrong. The main conclusion is that fast food companies will not stop and they do not care about these consequences. Selling healthy or unhealthy options gives them money regardless. This gives them no reason for them to stop. It is up to the consumers to discipline themselves. The message is more towards personal responsibility rather than corporate accusation.

Works Cited

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Adult Obesity Facts. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
2. Fast Food Nation. (2006). Directed by Richard Linklater. United States: Fox Searchlight Pictures.
3. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2017). The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World. Rome: FAO.
4. Greger, M. (2015). How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease. New York, NY: Flatiron Books.
5. Moss, M. (2013). Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us. New York, NY: Random House.
6. Nestle, M. (2007). Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
7. Pollan, M. (2006). The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. New York, NY: Penguin Press.
8. Schlosser, E. (2002). Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.
9. Spurlock, M. (Director). (2004). Super Size Me [Documentary]. United States: Samuel Goldwyn Films.
10. World Health Organization. (2019). Obesity and Overweight: Key Facts. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight