This week we have had to watch the trigger video "Super Size Me". It was only a short version of the whole movie - maybe I should watch the whole video!
In the chat we talked about:
1. What does the video show about eating habits in the modern society?
2. What are the main risks of these eating habits, but also what is so compelling about them (otherwise nobody would show this behavior)?
3. How could a Social Worker try to prevent the development of eating patterns as we can see them in the video? How can she or he be active on an individual and on society level?
4. What were your own feelings while watching the video?
5. Binge eating & mc donald's
6. Is it possible that such a movie could change something?
...and we all made the same experiences/ have had the same feelings!
1.
- the people eat too much and too fast nowadays; many people are addicted to fast food
- the eating habits changed enormously, its not like in the past, when the whole family was sitting together
- today, many people don't have even time to prepare meals or the don't have time to sit down and enjoy it; many eat while they are walking or driving to work
- many people eat unhealthy; they don't eat enough vegetables and fruits
2.
- many people get addicted to fast food; maybe because of the ingredients or maybe it is easier to buy (which is saving time) instead of preparing meals
- many have to rush, so they eat too much in less time
- the effects concerning health were horrible!
-> At the end he was gaining weight, has had heart-, lung-, kidney- and liver problems, he felt depressed without any reason, he felt tired and has had a loss of libido, he has had high cholesterol and vitamin deficiency (50% less), he felt weak and unmotivated, he got more often headache and problems with the stomach (it began on his 3rd day of his experiment), he got pressure in the chest...
- it is so compelling that you don't need a lot of time for going to the market and preparing meal
- it is a nice atmosphere (e.g. mc café)
- you think you eat healthy because the advertisement shows you a perfect picture of mc donald's and his fresh and healthy products (green fields, healthy cows...-> happy farmer & happy cows)
- some famous people make advertising for mc donald's (e.g. Heidi Klum)
3.
a Social Worker could...
- warn about the risks and the restrictions you get when you eat too much fast food
- show the "Super Size Me" video
- go shopping healthy food and cook with them and could show them that cooking and eating together makes a lot of fun and could show that it mustn't be expensive to buy the products
- inform pupils (the sooner the better!) because a lot of them eat unhealthy things from the cafeterias; also the schools should show more responsibility towards the pupils and students
4.
- some things were disgusting
- I was shocked that a persons health could be ruined within 30 days
5. Binge eating & mc donald's
- mc donald's is perfect for people to satisfy their binges (large amounts, you can eat at home...)
- there is no stigmatizing when you go to fast food restaurants
6. Is it possible that such a movie could change something?
- it depends on the mind and willing of a person
- and it depends on if the person get help from friends or family members