Supersize

Supersize

McDonald's Super Size products

The term "Supersize" refers to a marketing strategy used by fast food chains, particularly McDonald's, to offer larger portions of their menu items. This concept was popularized in the 1990s and early 2000s, allowing customers to increase the size of their fries and soft drinks for a small additional cost. The "Supersize" option was part of a broader trend in the fast food industry to provide more value to customers by increasing portion sizes.

History

The "Supersize" option was introduced by McDonald's in the United States in the early 1990s. It was part of a competitive strategy to attract more customers by offering larger portions at a perceived value. The option allowed customers to upgrade their meal sizes, which included larger French fries and soft drinks.

In 2004, McDonald's decided to phase out the "Supersize" option in the United States. This decision was influenced by growing concerns over obesity and public health, as well as the release of the documentary film "Super Size Me" by Morgan Spurlock, which highlighted the health risks associated with consuming large portions of fast food.

Impact on Public Health

The "Supersize" option became a focal point in discussions about the obesity epidemic in the United States. Critics argued that offering larger portion sizes contributed to overeating and increased calorie consumption, which are significant factors in the development of obesity and related health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension.

The elimination of the "Supersize" option was seen as a positive step towards promoting healthier eating habits. However, the impact of this change on overall public health is debated, as portion sizes in the fast food industry remain large, and other factors such as dietary habits and physical activity levels also play crucial roles in determining health outcomes.

Cultural Significance

The concept of "Supersize" has become ingrained in popular culture, often used to describe anything that is excessively large or over-the-top. The term gained further notoriety with the release of "Super Size Me," which documented the filmmaker's experience of eating only McDonald's food for 30 days and the subsequent health effects.

Related Pages

• Fast food
• Obesity
• Super Size Me
• McDonald's
• Portion size