Posted on 02/14/2005 8:48:23 PM PST by Dan from Michigan
Fast-Food Documentary Heading to Schools
Thu Feb 10, 8:10 PM ET Health - AP
By NOREEN GILLESPIE, Associated Press Writer
HARTFORD, Conn. - What happens when a man eats nothing but McDonald's food for 30 days? It's a lesson that schoolchildren across the country are about to find out.
Morgan Spurlock, director and star of "Super Size Me: A film of epic proportions," is releasing an edited version of the film for classrooms. The school version of the Academy-Award nominated film is scheduled to be released after the Feb. 27 Oscars (news - web sites) ceremony.
To Spurlock, schools are the perfect place to teach nutrition.
"We'll never make every parent a perfect parent. It won't happen. But I really believe we can make every school really close," Spurlock said, while in Connecticut at a forum on childhood obesity Thursday.
The film chronicles his deterioration during the experiment, measuring his bulging belly, soaring cholesterol, depression, lack of attention and sexual dysfunction, which he edited out for the school film.
The 34-year-old filmmaker gained 25 pounds during the monthlong feeding frenzy, prompting his doctor to beg him to stop and declare in disgust that his liver had become pate.
The school DVD is targeted for grades six through 12. It contains sample lesson plans and bonus interviews with nutritionists and doctors. Spurlock also said that he is working with foundations to underwrite the cost, so that cash-strapped school districts can get it for free.
Spurlock is now fit and trim again thanks to a thorough detoxification diet designed by his vegan fiancee, Alex Jamieson. But the film's popularity — it was the second-highest grossing documentary in 2004 — has set him on a nationwide tour of colleges and high schools to speak about childhood obesity.
The film is critical of the fast-food industry for targeting advertising to children. But it also is critical of some schools for making junk food like ice cream, candy, chips and soda available for lunch. One scene shows students ordering nothing but french fries, soda and candy as their lunch, while lunch workers say the food is there because children need to learn to make the right choices.
Combined with cuts to gym classes and reduced health education in schools, Spurlock believes schools are teaching kids to be obese.
"We're educating kids in the classroom, but we're abandoning them in the lunchroom," he said.
State Rep. Mike Cardin, a social studies teacher at Tolland High School, said his school has shown the documentary to its health classes.
"The influence of the food companies on the students' lives is so profound, it's something they can relate to," said Cardin, D-Tolland.
Though Spurlock said he thinks he has a good chance at winning the Academy Award, his roller coaster year has been reward enough. He also has a book and a TV series debuting later this year. But the real prize is getting the chance to influence schools, lawmakers and others to change eating habits, he said.
"To me, this is an Oscar," he said.
It's a good movie, I'd recommend it.
A friend of mine (a girl mind you) said after seeing this movie she CRAVED french fries...somehow I'm not convinced this is the best movie haha
Might be a good thing if it encourages the kids to eat healthy---but I have a sinking feeling it'll just make em' wanna blame McDonald's.
But maybe not---I haven't seen it yet.
One thing is for sure- now that liberals are done with the tobacco industry, they are now going after any food not considered healthful by them. These people are truly nazis.
If you check out the DVD, look in the bonus features for Mr. Spurlock's experiment, which made sure that I will never eat McDonald's again.
It seems that McDonald's food DOES NOT ROT when left unattended for several weeks. Think about the massive amounts of preservatives in there.
Now back to your regular programming....
Culvers? You'd rather eat frozen LARD and BUTTER Burgers?
Yeah, that's healthy.
I hope you're being sarcastic.
To be fair, Mr. Spurlock did find a guy in California who has eaten NOTHING but Big MAcs every day since 1974 or so. He's skinny as a rail, in perfect health (apparently).
Give me a nice, greasy Philly cheesesteak any day over an over-processed chain sandwich!!!
I have heard it's an eye opening movie, and have had friends tell me it's a must watch for people with kids.
Holtz
JeffersonRepublic.com
I work in the school system part time and you should see the garbage these kids eat-chips,greasy burgers,nachos,fries,big gulp sodas.Not to racially profile,but its the Latino kids who are the worst offenders.Overweight and diabetic at 16 is a tragedy.I read that Mexicans have some of the lowest rates of colon cancer until they come here and start consuming the all-American fast food diet.
I think this is a GREAT idea.....now that school have solved that whole problem with math, reading and writing...
One thing is for sure- now that liberals are done with the tobacco industry, they are now going after any food not considered healthful by them. These people are truly nazis.
I do not think they are "done" with the tobacco industry yet
as they still exist, however, your point is right on. It is one more step to the destruction of capitalist enterprise. Kids should be learning reading, math, economics and civics so they know when they are being lied to. They will eat what they want anyway in spite of all the fear tactics.
If he cared if "cash-strapped school districts" got it for free he would give it to them... its his film. Keep your stupid film my kids will be out sick that day.
Its a lie
Another film, that is ignored by the media, had a woman do the same thing but she could eat anything on the menu and she could still get exercise.
Of course no cares about something like accuracy
I don't think this is the right film to be shown to kids in schools. Something that has more factual basis and useful info should be shown. Spurlock is very unprofessional IMO and not a good role model for kids at all.
I'm sure Spurlock's fiancee inspired him to make this propagandic POS. All this movie does is say that "fast food alone is responsible for obesity", and that statement is PURE BULLSHIT. Any type of food can be good food if eaten in moderation. The true culprits of obesity are overeating (you have to know when to stop...personal responsibility) and sedentary lifestyles (too much TV, too much internet, too much video games, too much chatting in chatrooms, and not enough physical activity). And since the movie's message is "fast food alone is responsible for obesity", the anti-choice nazis (CSPI, PeTA, PCRM, John "I'm The Bastard" Banzhaf, Kelly Brownell, Marion Nestle, et al) will use this movie as "proof" that their socialist/communist agendas are "for the common good" (more like "for the communist good"). Banzhaf will call for more lawsuits against the fast food places, PeTA will call for cities to ban KFC, CSPI will call all fast food places "food porn", Kelly Brownell (who is a fat piece of shit) will call for even more "fat taxes", PCRM will get Child Protective Services to adopt PCRM's position that "to give a child animal products is a form of child abuse" and you'll see CPS remove kids from parents who dare allow their kids to either drink milk or eat chicken nuggets, and Marion Nestle will come across as a tin foil hat-wearer.
yeah..."must watch" as in "required viewing and there will be a quiz on the film".
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