Super Size Me is the creation of Morgan Spurlock and it's a heck of an idea: Eat nothing but McDonald's food for 30 days straight... breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If it's not on the menu, he won't eat it. He came up with this idea one Thanksgiving as he was lying on the sofa in the common post-dinner gorge haze and saw a news item about two teenaged girls whose parents were suing McDonald's for making them obese.

Considering of today's 60% obesity rate in the United States(!!) this is an extremely important documentary. It's an eye opening and shocking look at the effects of fast food on the human body.

Spurlock lays the groundwork by gathering some good empirical data: Before starting his experiment he visits not one, but three doctors (each practicing a different specialty) and has each of them conduct a number of tests to get baseline measurements of his overall and specific health. He also consults a dietician and a personal trainer.

He starts out very healthy, actually above average health-wise. He's 6' 2" and weighs about 185 lbs (the specifics escape me). His cholesterol is well under 200, and his body fat is well below average at 11% (the national average for men is 22%). Each of the doctors he informs about his upcoming experiment predicts minor effects: Triglyceride levels will increase along with cholesterol.

Another thing he decides to do is emulate the exercise levels of the average American, which is to say that he won't do any exercise whatsoever.

Did I mention his girlfriend is a vegan chef?

On Day 1 he has a McDonald's breakfast, followed by lunch in his car later in the day. He has established a few rules:

1. If McDonald's doesn't serve it, he can't eat or drink it (this includes water).

2. He can only Super-Size his meal if asked.

3. He has to eat every item on the menu at least once during his 30 days.

During the lunch I mentioned above he ends up with a Super-Sized Double Quarter Pounder meal. He is shown at 5 minute intervals attempting to complete his meal, which includes a 44 ounce Coke. He's having a hard time, and at 22 minutes, loses it and throws up through the window and onto the parking lot.

It was not a pretty sight.

We come back on Day 3, and he's happy as a clam, apparently his body having adjusted to the high fat/high sugar food. He likens it to quitting smoking: "If you make it Day 3, you're home free."