Super Size Me?
By Amy Cavaretta, 11^th grade
June 13, 2005

* 2005 RMT Writing Contest Winner *

“Over the course of my McDiet, I consumed 30 pounds of sugar from their food.  That’s a pound a day.  On top of that, I also took in 12 pounds of fat.  Now, I know what you’re saying.  You’re saying nobody’s supposed to eat this food three times a day.  But the scary part is: there are people who eat this food regularly. Some people even eat it every day.” (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390521/quotes)

Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock made himself a test subject of a documentary about the commercial food industry.  Rigorously eating a diet of McDonald’s fast food three times a day for a month straight, Spurlock demonstrated the physical and mental effects of consuming fast food.  He also provided a look at the food culture in America through its schools, corporations, and politics as seen through the eyes of regular people and health advocates.  Super Size Me is a movie that sheds new light on what has become one of our nation’s biggest problems: obesity.

The seemingly omnipresence of fast food, combined with a decrease in physical activity and overall poor nutrition, has led to an increase in coronary heart disease, early death and weight problems in the US, specifically obesity.  From 1987 to 2000, increase in weight and obesity increased dramatically among U.S. adults, and now obesity has reached epidemic proportions.  Nearly 59 million adults are obese, and the percentage of young people who are overweight has more than doubled in the last 20 years and is now at 15%. (http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/pe_factsheets/pe_pa.htm)

In a movie review of Super Size Me, Roger Ebert exclaims, “Why not exercise more, avoid refined foods and eat a balanced diet of fruits and veggies, whole grains, fish and a little meat, beans, soy products, low-fat dairy, low fat, low salt?  Of course I agree with McDonald’s that a visit to Mickey D’s can be part of a responsible nutritional approach. That’s why I’ve dined there twice in the last 17 months.”  Ebert, like many Americans, is puzzled at how this common trend has developed so rapidly into an epidemic.  (http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040507/REVIEWS/405070305/1023)

Poor diet and physical inactivity lead to 300,000 deaths each year—second only to tobacco use.  Coronary heart disease has now become the leading preventable cause of death.  People who are overweight or obese increase their risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis-related disabilities and some cancers.  Not getting an adequate amount of exercise is also associated with needing more medication, visiting a physician more frequently and being hospitalized more often. (http://www.nhpf.org/pdfs_bp/BP_Obesity_7-03.pdf)

However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  In 2001, Congress appropriated $16.2 million to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, the leading federal agency promoting health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury and disability, to address the problems of physical inactivity, poor nutrition and obesity.  This financial support allowed the agency to increase its research program and to provide funding to more states to establish health-related programs. (http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/pe_factsheets/pe_pa.htm)

But, the most effective way to prevent obesity and poor nutrition is, like your mother said, to move more and eat less.  Modest, regular physical activity substantially reduces the risk of dying from coronary heart disease  (the nation’s leading cause of death) and decreases the risk of colon cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. In addition, physical activity helps to control weight and, therefore, reduces the individual’s chances of becoming overweight or obese.  Activity also contributes to healthy bones, muscles and joints; relieves the pain of arthritis; and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression.  Developing trails for walking, biking, etc., can directly affect the obesity epidemic by giving more people access to places for physical activity.  Reducing the time spent watching television appears to be effective for treating and preventing obesity as well. Increased physical activity for overweight patients reduces many of the illness associated with obesity, helps maintain weight loss and helps prevent weight gain.

Therefore, by improving eating habits and increasing physical activity, we can reduce obesity and other weight-related heath issues, making this nation healthier, happier and more successful.  For example, the availability of healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, will enable people to eat better.  Opportunities for physical activity, including multi-use trail, will help more people be active and, consequently, healthier.  Though the road to health seems daunting, America as a nation should step it up and get active!

Work Cited
“Preventing Obesity and Chronic Disease Through Good Nutrition and Physical Activity.”  10 March 2005. <http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/pe_factsheets/pe_pa.htm>

“Memorable Quotes from Super Size Me.”  10 March 2005.  <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390521/quotes>

“Super Size Me.” 10 March 2005.  <http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040507/REVIEWS/405070305/1023>

“Obesity in America: A Growing Threat.” 11 July 2004.  10 March 2005.  <http://www.nhpf.org/pdfs_bp/BP_Obesity_7-03.pdf>
Learn more about Nutrition and the new Food Pyramid.

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