Granger

Austin Granger
Professor Julia Wylie
HLTH-1020-F16
11/28/2016
Supersize Me by Morgan Spurlock
In this documentary, the director and experimenter, Morgan Spurlock undergoes a monthlong experiment to understand the adverse effects of fast food, namely McDonalds.
Documenting his health before the experiment, and after for conclusive results. His diet
throughout the documentary was explicitly McDonalds, for all three meals of the day; breakfast,
lunch, and dinner. And if offered to supersize his meals, he had to say yes.
In the documentary, Morgan visits different doctors, physicians, and nutritionists
gathering other forms of records and data of Americas then obesity and over consumption issues
of fast foods. Morgan explicitly did not work out and became lethargic in order to study the
direct effects of an all fast food diet.
During his testing trials, Morgan became very addictive to his food choice, craving it
regularly and becoming ill if he didnt consume his food items. One of Morgans physicians
wanted him to end his research early, due to very adverse health issues that were arising only a
few weeks into his trial. Though he held steadfast and continues. Reducing his sugary beverage
intake, drinking more water. It was suggested that he started taking supplements, though it is not
clarified if he did.
Supersize me also focused on bringing to light other statistic and health concerns for
America, stating claims and comparisons throughout the whole documentary on the current
health life style America chooses to partake in. Mainly how normalized it is in society to partake

Granger
of lesser quality foods, and how advertising is a part of the norm, to which we well versed in.
The lack of exercise and healthy food standards at that time aided in the rise to obesity.
As a slight critique; This entire documentary is a bit one sided. Though I agree with the
points and cases made here, there were no mentions of PR efforts from McDonalds, though as
dubious as I perceive them to be. It would have been refreshing to see some of their reasoning.
And though this wasnt made to puncture a hole in their sales. It had adverse effects towards the
company, to the point of getting rid of their supersize completely. A lot of the documentary was a
heavy hitter towards McDonalds as a whole.

Why I chose Supersize Me

I had seen this many years ago, in the past in a health class at grade 8, and loosely
remembered it. Now given the opportunity to watch and write a paper on it, it was high time I
visited this once again. Considering I am a health advocate, especially against what we consider
the norms in society, like the availability and sheer consumption of this marketed food source; I
like to delve into topics regarding our countries current health and physical state. Being against
how normalized it is to consume unhealthy food. Readily available food though easy is it is
made, isnt always best suited. Also, a side note, considering this was a Sundance film that made
it huge; and I am into filming. The option was a no brainer.

About the Author, Morgan Spurlock

At the time and making of this documentary, Morgan Spurlock was an independent
documentary film maker though this would be his debut into other sources of creating.
Eventually becoming a producer for television and a political activist for a short time. Though he

Granger
has no background in any field of nutrition, him and his wife would cook meals and eat organic
produce, eating fairly healthy before his experiment.

Filmed and produced in 2003

A lot has changed since then, especially in terms of McDonalds, things coming and going
but the thing that stand to this day is its poor development in healthier alternatives. Though they
have marketed towards healthier options these are a faade. Still providing high quantities of
salt, sugar, fats, and carbohydrates. Since then though many efforts from government officials
have made leaps and bounds, improving upon childrens health and physical wellbeing by
passing legislatures. School legislatures even including more vigorous fitness classes and
mandatory physical activates all in effort to combat obesity. The notion behind this documentary
resides to this day, the danger of obesity still at a high. And their sales are not going anywhere.

Compare and Contrast

On the topic of nutrition as stated by the documentary:
A good portion of meat is 3oz. Obesity will be second to smoking in deaths. The
question was asked when will we start to heckle obese people the same way they did
smokers. And interviewee going so far as to saying buying a subway sandwich two times
a day will reduce their weight. It was stated that fast food should only be consumed about
once a month.
As stated in our book, and other resources:
Our book in chapter 2.3 compares portion sizes to that of a deck of cards, golf ball, and a
tennis ball, to which that stands true to this day as made example in this documentary.

Granger
However, the CDC states to this date that the leading cause of death is Heart Disease,
which has many contributions but its biggest is obesity. Smoking related deaths have
dropped more steadily, but unfortunately so; most of the leading causes of deaths can be
linked to obesity as of now.
On the topic of exercise as stated by the documentary:
60% of the American population is obese and of those same are inactive. A lot of younger
women having issues with body image, and not having the means to combat it. Some
major cities dont have playgrounds whereas McDonalds generally always has a play
area.
As stated in our books, and other resources:
As stated and posted by the CDC, Adults over the age of 20 as a percentage is 37.9% and
the percentage of that same demographic that are overweight are 70.7% Our book tells us
that male obesity is not strongly linked to childhood obesity, and tends to appear after
age 30 Chapter 7 page 248. A rather large drop between the year 2003 and 2016, is a
good step in the right direction.
On the topic of health as stated by the documentary:
If current trends continue one out of three children born in the year 2000 will develop
diabetes in their life time. And at least 17 million now have type 2 diabetes. 1 out of 2
people. The average child sees about ten thousand food advertisements, about 90% of
those are for foods deemed unhealthy.
As stated in our books, and other resources:
Type 2 diabetes usually begins after age 30, and often do not develop the disease
suddenly Chapter 4, page 147 of Contemporary Nutrition. As stated by the American

Granger
Diabetes Association, it is now 21 million Americans were diagnosed as of 2016, with 8.1
million going undiagnosed. These rates have continued to climb over the years, despite
the efforts made to bring awareness and promotion to positive health.

What I have learned

I have always known the negative effects of fast food. But to see it and in terms of how
unhealthy it can be, in such a short time. It baffles me. Truly; and in terms of understanding how
truly bad for you these types of foods are, and I know we are all guilty of eating them from time
to time. Its a helpful reminder as to why I need to strive to eat clean, whole, homemade meals.
Sometimes we all give into how easy it is to just go grab something, but with this simple
reminder that this documentary brought me. That I need to hold strong to the way I eat. And
return to that. Sometimes the mighty fall.

References
Spurlock Morgan. Supersize Me. Produced by J.R Morley and Heather Winters,
California USA
Smith Anne B. Contemporary Nutrition: A Functional Approach pages 147, and 248. Published
April 7th 2008
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/obesityoverweight.htm October 7, 2016

American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/

April 1st, 2016