Documentary Review - Super Size Me

In 2002, Jazlyn Bradley, age 19, and Ashley Pelman, age 14, sued the McDonald’s Corporation stating that eating McDonald's food had made them obese.  In 2004, filmmaker Morgan Spurlock set out to determine if only eating McDonald’s food for thirty days would indeed lead to health problems.  This set the stage for his Best Director - Sundance Film Festival winning documentary Super Size Me.  I had heard about this documentary for years but only recently sat down to stream it on Kanopy.  Even though it is over a decade old, I highly recommend watching the film. 

  

Morgan began his McDonald’s journey by consulting with three physicians: an internist, a cardiologist and a gastroenterologist.  He also consulted with a registered dietitian and an exercise physiologist.  All five members of his health team evaluated his status before he drastically changed his diet.  Each determined that he was in very good health for his age.  His weight was in the normal BMI range, his blood work and blood pressure were good, and he was considered to have an above average fitness level for his age.  Over the course of the 30 days, he continued to meet with his team to have his health evaluated.  The results were dramatic.  Morgan gained 10 pounds in five days.  By 21 days, two of his physicians told him that he should stop the experiment.

  

Morgan set certain rules for himself on eating McDonald’s food.  He could only eat McDonald’s for breakfast, lunch and dinner and he had to eat three meals per day.  He had to try everything on the menu at least once.  When he traveled, if a regional McDonald’s offered something different, he would try that (e.g. Texas homestyle burger in Texas).  Finally, if the clerk asked him if he wanted to supersize, he had to supersize.  Morgan did not supplement his diet by taking vitamins or minerals.  He also reduced his amount of exercise (limited to walking) to match the exercise that an average American gets in a day. 

In addition to changes in Morgan’s health, the documentary explores other aspects of the food industry.  It covers food advertising, food industry lobbyists in Washington, school lunch programs, the impact of obesity on general health, physical education in schools, the prevalence of obesity in America, and the sheer number of McDonald’s franchises and other fast food restaurants.  The documentary is neither preachy nor condemning. Morgan effectively illustrates the significance of diet in maintaining overall health.  His physicians were surprised that his health was impacted so drastically by eating only fast food, particularly the impact on his liver.  Super Size Me skillfully illuminates a topic that is as relevant today as it was in 2004. 

Check out the Kanopy streaming service for Super Size Me and other excellent documentaries, foreign films, instructional films and lessons.