Supersize Me? I Don't Think So.....

It's been just minutes after watching "Supersize Me", a movie I've wanted to see ever since I heard about it (about nine months or so), and I must say that I was not in the least bit disappointed. I encourage everyone to see it because it's hilarious and thought-provoking throughout the entire one hundred minutes. Don't ask me why I'm so fascinated by the obesity epidemic in this country, I really have no clue why such a disgusting topic could entertain my thoughts for so long. Since I now inhabit the state with the most obese cities, I find myself studying the field of nutrition in a place where it's most lacking. Anyhow, this epic film has spurred some questions, including:
1. What would have resulted had Morgan (the guy who decided to embark on this crazy mission) eaten a 'normal' amount of calories rather than just going along with eating as much as he could possibly stomach in one sitting?
2. Could one actually consume a healthy, balanced diet via fast food?
3. Who would really want to try this?
4. What if these people just exercised as much as they are recommended?
5. Could a vegetarian survive on an all-fast food diet?
An entire month of fast food was enough to raise cholesterol, glucose, triglyceride, etc. levels in this man; I cannot begin to fathom the toll it took on his well-being. I was amazed that the doctors did not predict some of the consequences his 30-day fast food adventure would have on his body. More than that, I was amazed that in the thirty days, he managed to consume a total of thirty pounds of sugar and twelve pounds of fat. The extreme lifestyle of Americans has translated to their diets, leading to extremely large waistlines. Nearly 60% of adults in the US are obese - at least that's what I thought I heard during the movie, it's a phenomenally disturbing statistic that I cannot yet wrap my mind around. How did we get this way without stopping to care? That's the amazing thing about our society: for as many Americans that are obese, there are about as many or more that are dieting in hopes of becoming the models in every magazine. It seems that one can only be one extreme: fat or bone-thin. This mentality is what causes fear in all of us, none of us want to be fat. But the other side isn't healthy either because undernutrition has many adverse effects; the only difference is that the effects of obesity caused by binging and not exercising are more advertised than the effects of anorexia, bulimia, or ED-NOS (eating disorders not otherwise specified). What is truly wrong with Americans' diets? I think the better question is what's with the psychological effects that media has on us?
I could continue for days, but alas, I am off to the gym now to watch a basketball, among other things.
Intrigued yet infuriated,
Anna