The 2004 documentary about Morgan Spurlock’s 30-day McDonald’s-only diet is Super Size Me.
Directed by and starring Spurlock, the film follows an experiment conducted from February 1 to March 2, 2003. He ate at McDonald’s three times daily, ordered every item on the menu at least once, and agreed to “super-size” his meal whenever employees offered that option. The experiment was designed to examine fast food, obesity, corporate influence, and American eating habits.
Spurlock reported gaining 24.5 pounds, or 11.1 kilograms, while experiencing mood changes, sexual dysfunction, and liver-related health problems. He later disclosed that his alcohol use during the experiment complicated the film’s conclusions, and researchers have criticized aspects of its methodology.
The documentary nevertheless became a major cultural event, prompting debate about nutrition and personal responsibility. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature and won the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Documentary Screenplay. Its 2017 sequel, Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!, examined the fast-food chicken industry.