Super Size Me – Morgan Spurlock’s didactic documentary of how he barely survived a regimen of eating only at McDonald’s fast-food restaurants, three meals each day, for thirty days. He began the experiment by having three physicians, a nutritionist, and a physical trainer perform a thorough analysis of his health. At the outset he weighed 185 pounds (normal for a man of 6’2” in his 30s) with eleven percent body fat, a cholesterol reading of 165, and good vitals elsewhere. His girlfriend, a vegan chef, worried about his deteriorating health as his program (one rule he created required that he order a super-size meal anytime it was offered) panted its way to the finish line. His daily calorie intake nearly doubled the recommended 2500 calories his body needed.

His doctors, astonished by the unexpected changes in his body chemistry, expressed serious concerns for his liver and heart after three weeks, urging him to desist from the Mac diet. At the end of the month he had gained 24.5 pounds and eight percent body fat, recorded a cholesterol reading well into the 200s, suffered from various ailments and mood swings. Nevertheless, I disagree with those who think food police and law suits are warranted against food producers and outlets as a way to prevent obesity and its attendant diseases. If McDonald’s is to be held liable, then parents should be in the docket as well. Education (proper nutrition, exercise, and information such as this DVD), not litigation, along with eliminating poor food choices in school cafeterias and vending machines, should be employed with an emphasis on personal responsibility and awareness of consequences.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in video and/or DVD format, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

Copyright © 2007 Patrick Ivers. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.

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