Morgan Spurlock narrates Supersize Me, a documentary that follows Morgan Spurlock on his journey to find out how fast food like McDonalds will affect his body. In his film, Morgan Spurlock shares the stats on obesity. He shows how it’s doubled since 1988. Spurlock says that obesity is the second leading cause of death for Americans. He tells us about two teenage girls who sued McDonalds because they sold unhealthy food and made them overweight. Spurlock goes on to say that Americans are still eating McDonalds, despite this fact. Spurlock said that McDonald’s lawyers claimed the girls were unable to prove the food didn’t have an effect on them. They also stated that eating McDonald food isn’t as healthy. Spurlock quoted a judge telling the lawyers and the girls that eating McDonald’s food daily would be dangerous. Spurlock wonders: What would happen if McDonalds’ food was consumed for 30 consecutive days? He decides to find out what this food is going to do for him in 30 days.
Spurlock decides, because the food Spurlock will eat isn’t healthy, that it would be best to have health professionals monitor him. Spurlock is monitored by three doctors: a gastroenterologist (a specialist in digestive disorders), a cardiologist, and a doctor of general practice. Health care professionals looked at his medical history as well as performed a blood test and a physical. All three concluded that his blood and physical tests were above average. Spurlock embarks on a 30-day McDonald’s-only diet. McDonald’s is his only option for breakfast, dinner and lunch. He cannot refuse to eat supersize if asked. The first day he took a supersize packed lunch. Spurlock describes his body as hurting from the sugar. Spurlock vomits the remainder of the meal after he is unable stomach it. Spurlock discusses the ease of accessing unhealthy food. The fact that we are able to buy unhealthy food in gas stations and drive everywhere is also mentioned. Spurlock says that by eating unhealthy foods, we are more likely to develop medical conditions such as hypertension, stroke, heart disease and sleep apnea. Spurlock’s chest starts to feel tighter and he begins to experience strange sensations. His doctor couldn’t tell what it was at first, but said to be on the lookout for it. Spurlock says that he doesn’t feel great mentally. “There is nothing wrong. But I don’t.” During his second checkup, Spurlock is advised to cut back on his fast-food consumption. Spurlock’s doctor tells him to slow down his fast food consumption.
Spurlock explains, too, that the problem of obesity is not just fast food. He claims that children are not offered healthy options and that food sent for cooking is simply prepackaged. Spurlock’s Journey wasn’t an easy journey for him. He also noticed that his mental health was affected. He felt constantly depressed and could only feel better after eating McDonald’s. He was informed by his paraprofessional that he could have an addiction. After gaining 24 pounds and a liver injury, his cholesterol jumped to 235. Body fat was at 18%. Spurlock claims that the girls whom he spoke of in the beginning failed to win the case because they didn’t show the impact McDonald’s food has had on them. Healthcare professionals don’t recommend eating fast-food because it is so unhealthy. He says that the government and organizations are trying to change things, but not always in our best interest. He said that it is a business, and we are responsible for changing our eating habits.
The reason I chose it is that I was raised hearing about the film but not knowing what exactly it was. This was the first documentary I had ever seen and I wanted to know what fast food did to our bodies. Spurlock says that everyone is aware of the fact that fast food can be unhealthy. Yet, many people still consume it. I don’t think he had any nutritional background, but the 3 health professionals that monitored his health through the entire film taught him a great deal. The documentary was produced almost 15 year ago in 2004. The main points are still relevant today. Spurlock said that the rate of obesity has doubled from 1998. And according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHNES), in 2015-2016 around 40% of adult and 18% kids were obese. It was the highest rate they had ever recorded. This shows that despite shocking facts like the documentary shown, obesity is a big problem for Americans. Since 2004, the nutrition in schools has changed. Michelle Obama implemented new legislation in 2010 to improve school nutrition and lunches.
McGraw-Hill Connect Chapter 7 Page 114 talks about how sugar consumption can lead to a decline in diet. In the documentary, Spurlock is talking to his health professionals about the added sugars in McDonalds. The food was a mixture of sugar and empty carbohydrate. The liver of the man who had been on his journey was becoming fat.
Spurlock spoke about the fact that Americans tend to eat too much but do not use enough energy. He says it’s because we drive everywhere, and rely on people to bring us things. The book could help you improve or prevent obesity in this country. The book has a chapter on page 250. It discusses the best ways to lose weight. It encourages you to consult a nutritionist and set realistic goals. Spurlock, who was featured in the documentary, stated at the end that he took about nine months to shed the weight. He was able, with the Nutritionist’s help, to lose all of it in just a couple months.
I am now more informed about a subject that I was previously ignorant of. It was shocking to me how McDonalds had no concern for the health of his son or anyone else. The food we choose to eat is up to us, and I’ll definitely keep this in mind the next time a McDonalds hot & spicy tempts me.
