Fast food study pays people to put on the pounds

Roughly eight years ago, documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock shocked audiences with his experimental diet of nothing other than fast food from burger giant McDonald’s: Big Macs, fries, deluxe breakfasts and all the other salty delights for one month.

The result was “Super Size Me,” which was nominated for an Academy Award.

The objective of Washington University's fast food study is for them to gain 5 percent of their body weight in three months by eating fast food. (Photo by Shuttershock)

The objective of Washington University's fast food study is for them to gain 5 percent of their body weight in three months by eating fast food. (Photo by Shuttershock)

Now Washington University is conducting a study on obesity and they want their participants to follow Spurlock’s example  — except their list of fast food joints include not only McDonald’s, but also Taco Bell, KFC, Burger King and Pizza Hut.

Related story: Obesity replaces smoking as most expensive public health issue

Participants must eat fast food every day for three months. The objective is for them to gain 5 percent of their body weight in the allotted three months. In return, they will be paid $3,500.

“By choosing fast foods, we can regulate that food intake much better than trying to tell people to try and decide on their own, eating food at home, which requires judgment and educations on what you’re eating,” said Dr. Sam Klein of Washington University, reports KMOV.

“By going to eat fast food, we know exactly what they’re eating.”

Related story: Food Talk: Burger King’s new menu, culinary racism and Mary J. Blige

The study will examine why some overweight people develop diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors, while others do not. Participants who gain the weight will be put into a weight loss program at the completion of the study.

What’s required to participate:

  • Participants must be between 18- 65 years old
  • Non-smoker
  • Non-diabetic
  • Must be at least 30 pounds overweight

For more information on the study or to participate visit Washington University School of Medicine registry.

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  • scasab

    This in an insane experiment! Playing with people’s health? And doing it for money! I really think that there should be other ways to do research on obesity.

  • Fernanda Beccaglia

    At least they are not testing on animals. Nobody is forcing those participants to do that. People have free will and can choose to be stupid about it or not. Animals cannot. And btw, how much more testing needs to be done so people really get that processed/fast food DO lead to obesity and other illnesses including cancer?