Supersized Problem

In the documentary Supersize Me, filmmaker Morgan Spurlock embarked on an experiment that could have killed him. It certainly increased his chance of liver failure, heart failure, and did cause heart palpitations and a 30 pound weight gain. At the start of the documentary, Morgan is a fit, active man who enjoys exceptionally good health. As the film unfolds though, we see him accumulate a  hefty gut, huff at climbing two flights of stairs, suffer headaches, unnatural cravings, and worst of all, we witness the mounting alarm of his doctors as they beg him to give up his experiment. Perhaps the most terrifying aspect of this film is that the effects of eating at McDonalds three times a day were manifest well before the month was over.

I know that none of us eat at McDonalds three times a day and probably most of us don’t eat there very often(I hope) or not at all. However, this film makes several important points about fast food, personal, and corporate responsibility that are good for all of us to keep in mind.

McDonalds is not the only dangerous fast food

Really, all fast food has the potential of McDonalds, in that this diet will harm our bodies, increase cholesterol, cause heart disease, and weight gain. Some fast food chains strive to present their food as ‘healthy’ such as Subway, but there is danger in eating too often at these places as well.

Is it the food or the chemicals that’s addicting?

In the film, Morgan talked about how he grew to crave McDonalds food, even though it was literally making him sick.  That made me wonder if the chemicals that are used in the food are causing the cravings, these shady substances that no one is supposed to think about that aren’t regulated. If this is true, a lawsuit and enforced changes could be possible.

Corporate Responsibility

These companies are wreaking havoc on national and international health, and while it is our responsibility to eat both healthily and ethically, these corporations have much to be ashamed of, with their shameless marketing tactics and use of harmful substances. When Morgan attempted to make contact with a spokesperson from McDonalds after his month, he was ignored. I wonder what would happen if more of us held this corrupt corporation accountable?

http://www.endalldisease.com/mcdonalds-fast-food-toxic-ingredients-include-putty-and-cosmetic-petrochemicals/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbf_pmT6duA

http://www.supplymanagement.com/news/2006/mcdonalds-tops-index-of-unethical-companies