Fast Food: Your Arteries Worst Enemy

Brittany Garner

Mr. McAuley

English 191

October 19, 2006

Fast Food: Your Arteries Worst Enemy.

In Morgan Spurlock's documentary "Super Size Me" Spurlock risks' his life to inform Americans of how a small hamburger; can transform into a dramatic super-sized problem. Surgeon General David Satcher: "Fast food is a major contributor to the obesity epidemic." The number of obese humans is increasing rapidly. What really lures us into fast food restaurants? I find it hard to believe it's the amazingly great food. Advertising is the key to any successful business. McDonald's attracts customers by the playgrounds, dollar menus, and convenient service. In "Super Size Me," Spurlock grabs the audience by appealing to our logical, ethical, and emotional beliefs.

Logical appeals are those that involve factual information and evidence. (Lunsford 240) McDonalds targets more children than adults. Before most children can speak they recognize McDonalds. Spurlock interviews several kids at a local school, all children recognized the face of Ronald McDonald faster and easier than George Washington. This logical appeal is first hand and appeals to children. By setting up playgrounds children learn at a young age that McDonalds is a fun environment to be in. Children are being taught that eating fatty foods is ok because they get a toy when they do. As the children get older they will probably still visit McDonalds just as often because they are still being lured in by the advertising. Sixty percent of all Americans are either overweight or obese. I think this second hand source is trust worthy and liable. Everywhere you go there are overweight and obese people around. We accept their weight and what their doing to themselves by not making it a big deal, so they feel more comfortable about it. Fast food contributes to obesity. We eat at fast food restaurants because we are simply lazy. We would rather get a five minute meal prepared for use; than cook a full course meal at home. Sixty percent is a very large number that is only getting larger. Obesity is a preventable disease, people can control being overweight. Spurlock gives many logical appeals. The statistics and facts are not meant to scare us; only to make us aware of what