In this blog post, I’ll summarize the impact of fast food on individuals and society, focusing on the documentary ‘Super Size Me’, and discuss the issues raised by the film.
Introduction
In today’s world, where wellness is a top priority, the terms “fast food” and “instant food” may not sound as alarming as they once did. However, even though this documentary was produced in 2004, it still clearly conveys the dangers of food and serves as a wake-up call. In fact, in today’s health-conscious society, this film can serve as a motivating call to action, urging people to “step up their efforts.”
I also had personal reasons for watching it. After graduating from high school, I gained weight due to an irregular lifestyle, poor eating habits, drinking, and a party-driven lifestyle. Although I managed to get my life back on track during my military service, my routine fell apart again after I was discharged. As I continued to yo-yo between gaining and losing weight, this documentary—which directly shows the impact of hamburgers, one of my favorite foods, on my body—piqued my curiosity even before I watched it. Moreover, the fact that it was a documentary centered on hamburgers—a food everyone loves—added to my interest.
The Film’s Questions and Experiment
“Super Size Me” appears to be an experimental film conducted under the director’s meticulous preparation. Director Morgan Flux presents cases arguing that food sold by McDonald’s causes obesity, noting that obesity is the second leading cause of death in the United States, following smoking. The director cites statistics showing that approximately 60 percent of the adult population in the U.S. is obese, and in Mississippi—which has the highest obesity rate—one in four people is obese.
McDonald’s reportedly has over 30,000 locations worldwide and makes tens of millions of sales every day. It is so accessible that you can even find McDonald’s inside hospitals. Meanwhile, McDonald’s counters that it has never claimed its food is unconditionally healthy, and in some courtrooms, there has been discussion that if one can prove McDonald’s engages in relentless marketing and that eating McDonald’s food has a negative impact on the body, one could win the case.
Against this backdrop, the director declares that he will conduct an experiment in which he eats only McDonald’s food for a month. The goal is to demonstrate firsthand whether McDonald’s truly sells food that is harmful to health.
Experiment Preparation and Rules
To ensure the experiment’s accuracy, the director had three medical specialists thoroughly examine his health and document the risks associated with consuming McDonald’s for a month, as well as any changes in his physical metrics. He also strictly controlled his activity levels—deliberately reducing walking and using a car when necessary—to maintain consistent experimental conditions.
The rules set by the director were as follows:
Rule #1: If a “Super Size” is recommended, purchase it without fail.
Rule #2: Eat only what is sold at McDonald’s (including water).
Rule #3: Consume a balanced variety of menu items over the course of one month.
Rule #4: Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner without fail every day.
The Documentary’s Narrative and Questions Raised
The film unfolds around the director’s personal experiment, interspersed with interviews with citizens and simple social experiments. For example, when children were asked to identify photos of historical figures, most were unfamiliar with them, but almost every child recognized Ron McDonald, the McDonald’s mascot. When adults were asked to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, many could not answer correctly, whereas it was easy to find people who knew McDonald’s logo and mission precisely.
The director attributes this phenomenon to the scale of advertising budgets. He presents a comparison showing that, on a global scale, McDonald’s invests a massive amount in advertising; Pepsi spends a significant budget, though less than McDonald’s; Hershey’s uses a relatively small budget; whereas the government spends an extremely small amount on advertising to promote vegetable consumption. Consequently, people naturally become accustomed to fast-food advertisements, and corporate marketing plays a major role in shaping eating habits.
Marketing targeting children is particularly prominent; the documentary points out that companies are luring children through animated content, free toys, and birthday party services. It also poses the rhetorical question: wouldn’t the situation change if famous athletes or singers appeared in ads encouraging vegetable consumption instead of endorsing fast food or soda?
Schools are also part of the problem. The film points out the lack of school meal options that ensure students’ health, the high accessibility of vending machines and fast food on school grounds, and the woefully insufficient amount of physical education time. While the U.S. recognizes obesity as a disease and is discussing various related issues, the film criticizes the reality that selling processed foods in schools ultimately only boosts corporate profits while neglecting students’ health.
The Director’s Efforts and Results
The director attempted to speak directly with corporate executives and marketing officials about these issues but was repeatedly turned down and never even managed to get a single phone call through. It is reported that some actual changes occurred following the film’s screening; after its screening at the Sundance Film Festival, McDonald’s reportedly discontinued its “Super Size” option and added salad items to its menu.
As a result of the experiment, the director gained over 10 kg in just one month, and his health indicators deteriorated so rapidly that doctors warned his life could be at risk. After the experiment ended, he reports that he returned to his original physical condition through approximately eight months of dietary adjustments and lifestyle improvements.
Evaluation and Conclusion
This documentary does not merely aim to highlight the dangers of McDonald’s food. The director exposes how giant corporations fail to provide adequate information and instead use monopolistic and aggressive marketing to instill in consumers the message that “their products are the best.” This is, in part, a problem within American society. The film points out that a culture where “bigger is better” and a lack of corporate regulation have contributed to the spread of obesity.
Like most documentaries, the film’s format effectively conveys the issue to the audience in a thought-provoking way by interweaving powerful imagery with personal experiments. However, there are clear shortcomings: while the film succeeds in raising issues primarily through statistics and phenomena, it falls short by failing to present a more in-depth discussion through concrete dialogue or negotiations with the corporations involved.
Ultimately, this film prompts viewers to consider not only individual dietary habits but also corporate responsibility, the role of government regulation, and the realities of the educational system. As a documentary that makes us reflect on the hidden costs behind the temptation and convenience of fast food, it delivers a message that remains relevant today.
