A Rhetorical Analysis of Super Size Me:Why Are Americans So Fat?
...many overweight children, and three times as many overweight adolescents. Obesity is now second only to smoking as a major cause of preventable death in America, with more than 400,000 deaths a year associated with obesity-related illnesses. Spurlock believes the cause of this is directly related to America’s craze to eat out more often now than ever before, especially at fast-food restaurants. He states that one out of every four Americans visits a fast-food restaurant each day. In the United States alone, McDonald’s accounts for 43 percent of the total fast-food market. This market domination persuaded Spurlock that McDonald’s would best serve as the fast-food restaurant in his examination. He begins this undertaking by first consulting with three doctors—cardiologist Dr. Stephen Siegel, gastroenterologist Dr. Lisa Ganjhu, and general practitioner Dr. Daryl Isaacs. After running a series of tests, they all confirm that he is in excellent health. They predict the only foreseeable downfall to his 30-day McDonald’s binge is possible weight gain, an increase in his triglyceride level, and an increase in his cholesterol level. He also consults with nutritionist Bridget Bennett who confirms that at 6’2”, 185 pounds, and 11 percent body fat; Spurlock is in an above-average fitness bracket compared with most Americans. To fully embody the lifestyle of the “average American,” he will also stop exercising and limit his walking to no more than 5,000 steps per day. During his experiment, Spurlock interviews experts across the country. The former U.S. Surgeon General, various lawyers, and legislators enthusiastically share their research, opinions, and feelings on the ever-expanding waistlines of Americans. However, Spurlock’s attempt to interview a McDonald’s representative falls short after repeated requests and phone calls. Dr. David Satcher, former U.S. Surgeon General, was the first U.S. Surgeon General to draw attention to the obesity crisis in 2000, declaring it an epidemic. He believes the fast-food industry is a major contributor to this epidemic. Satcher asserts, “If left unabated, obesity will overtake smoking as the leading preventable cause of death in the Unite States.” He also states that in the “last 20-25 years, we have seen a doubling of overweight and obese children.” Spurlock also visits some of our nation’s public schools, and discovers the replacement of fast-food entrees over healthier, home-cooked fare. He reviews the monthly lunch menu with a cook at Madison Junior High School in Naperville, Illinois, and discovers that 30 out of 36 meals come out of a box. The cook’s most useful kitchen tool has now become the box cutter. Furthermore, he calls attention to waning physical education programs, with Illinois the only state in the nation to require it as part of the school’s curriculum. In an attempt to make the fast-food corporations appear culpable, Spurlock looks at the potential link between fast-food advertising aimed at children and the increase in obesity in the underage population. Major food manufacturers spend billions of dollars promoting their products. This results in the average child viewing as many as 10,000 television advertisements a year for fast food, sweets, and soft drinks. To associate McDonald’s cuisine with chemical dependency, Spurlock also slyly plays Curtis Mayfield’s “Pusher Man” while flashing the face of the company’s mascot Ronald McDonald. He also interviews a lobbyist with the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA), working for the food industry. The firm is keen on making sure that no legislation ever passes that would hurt the industry. Unfortunately, the lobbyist slips up by admitting that the packaging and marketing of foods is part of the obesity problem. (Spurlock makes an announcement at the end of his film that this lobbyist no longer works for GMA). Throughout it all, Spurlock displays a wisecracking personality and serves as a charismatic, ego-free tour guide. He exhibits a great sense of humor while describing the McEffects of his McDiet (including the McTummy Ache, the McGas, and the McSweats, all of which lead to some McPuking on Day 2 of his experiment). Another memorable laugh results when John F. Banzhaf III, a law professor with George Washington University, stresses how McDonald’s uses Happy Meals and play areas to make children associate the food chain with “positive feelings” from a young age. Spurlock jokingly replies, “That’s why when I have kids, and we drive by a McDonald's, I'm going to punch them [kids] in the face." On Day 21 of his experiment, Spurlock suffers severe chest pains. His doctors warn him to stop prior to completion, and they express their amazement that this type of eating could be so destructive to a person’s health. Although concerned, Spurlock chooses to finish. By the end of his study, Spurlock has gained 25 pounds, his body fat has increased by 7 percent, and his cholesterol has shot up 65 points. The amount of damage done to his liver is roughly equivalent to an alcohol binge of the same duration. One doctor even described his liver as “pate.” In addition to his chest pains and vomiting, Spurlock experiences depression, headaches, and a decreased libi...