We think you're near Phoenix

Currently in Phoenix

Location: Phoenix Current temperature: 51°F: Current condition: Partly Cloudy See Extended Forecast

Super size me debate: Fudging the figures on obesity.



The obesity challenge, something society is inundated with time and time again, from reality shows such as The Biggest Loser to Jenny Craig commercials.  It seems fudging the truth is a guaranteed moneymaker.

Fast food is one sacred cow slow roasted by health professionals, nutritionists, pre packaged weight loss advertisers who all state you are all going to an early grave if you touch anything with fat.

Fast food junkies will devour the counter film (to Super Size Me) Fathead as this film BBQs these sacred cows one delicious greasy quarter-pounder at a time, with all the fixins.  

Both movies have a similar storyline Super Size Me (2004) and this current movie Fathead (2009).  The quandary being, these movies result in two entirely different outcomes. 

These different outcomes both medically and physically have doctors on both sides of the junk food debate aghast at the final result.   

 

Morgan Spurlock of  Super Size Me ended up gaining 20 plus pounds despite barfing his guts up with every mouthful in the movie as his health deteriorated, while Tom Naughton of Fathead  lost weight with every morsel he slammed down his gullet.  

 

Who to believe? Fast Food good? Fast Food bad? 

One thing will be the many detractors who watch both films, it is highly recommended those interested in this faceoff do both.  While you’re at your local video store, perhaps make it a Hat-Trick  and save the best for last and rent the best weight loss film of the century titled  Fast Food Nation (2006) a film by journalist Eric Schlossert.   

 Below are brief excerpts of the movies in this story.

 Super size this, buddy: Comedian Tom Naughton slims down on a fast-food diet

Montreal Gazette

Tom Naughton is a comedian and a contrarian. Generally, these two métiers go hand in hand. But Naughton goes well beyond the usual shticking points in his DVD Fat Head (available in Canada as of Tuesday).

Naughton takes on an entire herd of sacred cows here, challenging conventional wisdom on everything from animal fat to obesity to cholesterol. It's quite the indictment, and he has a panel of scientific experts to back him up. Startling stuff, and because the man is something of a ... well ... ham, highly palatable and entertaining, too. Written by Bill Brownstein.  bbrownst@Thegazette.Canwest.Com

Super Size Me

The Internet Movie Database IMDB

Why are Americans so fat? Two words: fast food. What would happen if you ate nothing but fast food for an entire month? Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock does just that and embarks on the most perilous journey of his life. The rules? For 30 days he can't eat or drink anything that isn't on McDonald's menu; he must wolf three squares a day; he must consume everything on the menu at least once and supersize his meal if asked. Spurlock treks across the country interviewing a host of experts on fast food and an equal number of regular folk while chowing down at the Golden Arches. Spurlock's grueling drive-through diet spirals him into a physical and emotional metamorphosis that will make you think twice about picking up another Big Mac. Written by Sujit R. Varma

Fast Food Nation

A generation ago, three-quarters of the money used to buy food in the US was spent to prepare meals at home. Today, about half of that same money is spent in restaurants – mainly fast food restaurants. In 1968, McDonald's had 1,000 restaurants – today it has about 30,000, and 2,000 new ones are opening each year.  Wikipedia (Source)   FAST FOOD NATION  IMDB

Finally the clear winner in all this seems to be the MacDonald’s fast food chain, and any fast food chain for that matter. The saying publicity, good or bad is still publicity, and featuring fast food chains in movies does not seem to sway those whose Holy Grail is the almighty cheeseburger.

The other winners of course are filmmaker Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) and comedian Tom Naughton (Super Size This Buddy) both actors in this story got their 15 minutes of movie fame, we soon won’t forget.

All in all the best way to lose weight is exercise, plain and simple.  Unless they invent a 10 pound fork, cardio and weights are the way to longevity.

Bon Appétit!

 

Advertisement

Slideshow: Food for thought movie trilogies

By

Vancouver Social Policy Examiner

Barry O'Regan works as an Environmental Health Consultant for the movie industry, military, government, industry and hospitals. Environmental...

Comments

  • tooey 1 year ago
    Report Abuse

    how's the ticker since your surgery a few yrs ago? Doin ok and staying away from the fat diets?? :)

Add a new comment

Join the conversation! Log in here or create a new account if you've never registered before.

Got something to say?

Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!

Don't miss...