Fast food can be tempting, but it comes with risks, such as weight gain and health issues, especially if consumed frequently. To find out about the negative effects, a filmmaker took a bold step and decided not to consume anything apart from McDonald’s food for 30 days. During the course of the task, Morgan Spurlock ate three meals a day and tried every item on the menu. His health was monitored by three doctors, while Spurlock shot his journey and released a documentary exposing the fast food industry, which later received an Oscar nomination in 2005. While he was a healthy individual initially, Spurlock’s health started deteriorating during the challenge. By the end of his experiment, he gained over 11 kg and faced serious health problems.
As per the filmmaker, “In 2002, a few Americans got fed up with being overweight and did what we do best. They sued the ba***rds. Taking aim at the fast-food companies and blaming them for their obesity and illnesses, a lawsuit was filed in New York on behalf of two teenage girls, one who was 14 years old, 4’10", and 170 pounds, the other, 19 years old, 5’6" and 270 pounds. The unthinkable had suddenly become reality. People were suing the golden arches for selling them food that most of us know isn’t good for you to begin with."
During this experiment, Morgan Spurlock experienced multiple discomforts. Before the meal, he felt starved and midway, he struggled to breathe. By the end of each meal, he was full, which he described as “McGas" and “McStomachache." Despite these issues, he felt hungry again within a few hours and had trouble sleeping.
The documentary, titled Super Size Me, was made with a budget of just $65,000 (approximately Rs 54 lakh) but went on to earn $22 million (approximately Rs 184 crore). It attracted a lot of attention during the time. McDonald’s initially described the film as a “super-sized distortion of the truth." However, following the release, the food chain decided to discontinue the Supersize option from their menu.
After 30 days of eating only McDonald’s food, the filmmaker said he gained 11 kg, his liver became fatty, and his cholesterol levels increased by 65 points. His body fat percentage rose from 11% to 18%, which is concerning. His risk of heart disease nearly doubled, he also felt tired and depressed.
Morgan Spurlock released a sequel, Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken, in 2017. Sadly, he passed away in May 2024 at the age of 53 due to complications from cancer.
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