Spurlock's Weight and the Rapid Decline of His Health
At the conclusion of the 30-day experiment documented in Super Size Me, filmmaker Morgan Spurlock's weight had increased by 24.5 pounds, taking him from his starting weight of 185.5 pounds to a final weight of 210 pounds. This significant weight gain was just one of many alarming health metrics that worsened over the course of his fast-food-only diet. His cholesterol level, for example, skyrocketed by 65 points, rising from a healthy 168 to a dangerous 233. His body fat percentage also saw a dramatic increase, jumping from 11% to 18%.
Beyond these quantifiable measures, Spurlock also experienced a series of severe physical and psychological symptoms. He reported mood swings, lethargy, and headaches, which were only temporarily alleviated by eating more McDonald's food, a sign that his doctors interpreted as addiction. His liver began to turn to fat, a condition one of his supervising physicians chillingly compared to a case of severe binge alcoholism. Spurlock also experienced sexual dysfunction and chest pains, doubling his risk for coronary heart disease. The experiment provided a stark, visual illustration of the potential health consequences of a diet high in processed foods.
Comparing Spurlock's Diet and Consequences to a Counter-Experiment
To illustrate the specific impact of Spurlock's extreme diet, it is useful to compare his experience with a counter-experiment conducted by comedian Tom Naughton for his documentary Fat Head. This comparison highlights the role of calorie intake and moderation, even when consuming fast food.
| Feature | Morgan Spurlock's Experiment (Super Size Me) | Tom Naughton's Counter-Experiment (Fat Head) |
|---|---|---|
| Diet Duration | 30 days | 30 days |
| Average Daily Caloric Intake | ~5,000 kcal | ~2,000 kcal |
| Fast-Food Consumption | Exclusively McDonald's, three meals a day. Always said yes to 'Super Size' when asked. | Daily fast food meals, but calorie-conscious and avoided sugary drinks. |
| Starting Weight | 185.5 pounds | ~221 pounds (varied) |
| Ending Weight | 210 pounds | ~215 pounds (varied, loss) |
| Key Health Changes | Gained 24.5 lbs; increased cholesterol; fatty liver; mood swings. | Lost weight; cholesterol improved. |
| Result | Documented rapid health decline. | Demonstrated that fast food, consumed in moderation, does not necessarily cause weight gain. |
The Aftermath: Recovering from the McDonald's Diet
After completing the 30-day ordeal, Spurlock spent an extended period trying to reverse the damage. It took him 14 months to lose the weight he had gained and return to his pre-experiment physical state. His recovery was guided by his then-girlfriend and vegan nutritionist, Alexandra Jamieson, who put him on a detox diet. The film and Spurlock's subsequent health challenges underscored the powerful, negative impact of a high-calorie, nutrient-poor diet. The documentary's influence was so significant that six weeks after its release, McDonald's phased out its 'Super Size' option and started adding healthier items to its menu, although the company publicly denied the film had any influence on its decision. The experiment served as a powerful public health message about the dangers of excessive fast-food consumption and the broader obesity crisis in the United States.
The Wider Public Health Debate
While Spurlock's experiment was criticized by some for its extreme and non-scientific methodology—including his later revelation about his alcohol consumption during filming—it sparked a much-needed public debate about fast food, corporate responsibility, and consumer health. The film's legacy lies not only in the dramatic individual results it showcased, but also in the broader conversation it initiated about food choices, marketing practices, and the accessibility of healthy options. It prompted many to scrutinize the hidden calorie and sugar counts in popular fast-food items, leading to greater transparency in nutritional labeling across the industry.
Conclusion
At the end of the experiment, Morgan Spurlock's weight stood at 210 pounds, a gain of 24.5 pounds from his starting point. This metric, however, tells only a fraction of the story. The true impact of his 30-day McDonald's diet was a rapid and comprehensive deterioration of his health, affecting everything from his liver function and cholesterol levels to his mood and physical vitality. The film served as a shocking reminder that diet is a foundational pillar of health, and that a sustained regimen of high-calorie, low-nutrient food can have profound and immediate negative consequences on the human body. The documentary's lasting legacy is its role in forcing a national conversation about personal nutrition and the powerful fast-food industry. For more information on the film's impact and the controversy surrounding it, the Wikipedia entry for Super Size Me provides a comprehensive overview of the documentary, its reception, and its aftermath.
