Fast Food Study: Participants Offered $3500 To Eat Fast Food For 3 Months

This almost sounds like a joke -- a study from Washington University in St. Louis is recruiting participants to eat only fast food for three months. They'll be paid $3,500 for their troubles, and enrolled in a weight loss program when the study finishes.

The researchers are hoping to study obesity, and why some overweight people develop diabetes and other diet cardiovascular risk-factors, while other people don't. By eating only fast food, the researchers are able to easily monitor the participant's food intake. Participants can choose from McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut.

The participants must gain five percent of their body weight during the course of the study. We're thinking that shouldn't be too hard to accomplish.

Curious if you're eligible? Watch the clip below.

Photo by Flickr user: dno1967b

Also on HuffPost:

The Worst Fast Food Creations of 2011

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• Domino's Stuffed Cheesy Bread

  Plain old stuffed crust? That's so last decade -- at least according to <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/dominos-ipad-app-makes-you-pizza-hero?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>Domino's Pizza</strong></a>. Earlier this year, the chain rolled out a line of "Stuffed Cheesy Bread" that's full of "cheese, cheese, and more cheese." In fact, the breads -- which come in Spinach and Feta, Bacon and Jalapeño, and plain Cheese -- contain as much cheese as an entire medium pizza. <em>Related:</em> <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/most-bizarre-pizza-toppings-slideshow-0?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>Most Bizarre Pizza Toppings</strong></a> <em>Photo Credit:</em> © Jeff Padrick/Klug Studio

• KFC Cheesy Bacon Bowl

  A bowl can hardly contain "layers of your favorites" without including bacon. Or so was the logic at KFC, which added bacon as a limited-time topping to <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/kfc-debuts-cheesy-bacon-bowls?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>the chain's line of "Famous Bowls."</strong></a> How did they do it? Well, they took a 680-calorie combo of mashed potatoes, corn, Popcorn Chicken, gravy, and cheese -- then added bacon. <em>Related:</em> <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/fast-food-you-cant-find-america-slideshow-0?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>Fast Food You Can't Find in America</strong></a> <em>Photo Credit:</em> © brandeating

• Starbucks' Trenta Drinks

  Fast-food excess is hardly reserved for food alone. Take Starbucks' Trenta-sized cups, the veritable Big Gulps of coffee consumption, which each contain 31 ounces of caffeinated brew to pour down your gullet. And if caffeine-induced twitching <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/how-healthy-are-your-kids-healthy-snacks-slideshow?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>isn't enough of a health risk</strong></a>, consumers should be advised to pace themselves: The cups are actually larger than the typical human stomach. <em>Related:</em> <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/how-eat-well-while-training-marathon-slideshow?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>How to Eat Well While Marathon Training</strong></a> <em>Photo Credit:</em> © <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scelera/" target="_hplink"><strong>Flickr/samantha celera</strong></a>

• Denny's Maple Bacon Sundae

  What's more horrifying than an ice cream sundae that features vanilla soft serve, maple syrup, and bacon bits? An entire menu of creations based on the same bacon-centric principle. Denny's, however, has gone there: <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/20-food-topics-just-wont-die-slideshow#7?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>The chain's "Baconalia!" menu</strong></a> included that cringeworthy sundae, along with a triple-decker BLT, Bacon Meatloaf, and Bacon Flapjacks. <em>Related:</em> <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/20-food-topics-just-wont-die-slideshow?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>20 Food Topics That Just Won't Die</strong></a> <em>Photo Credit:</em> © <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/aloha75/" target="_hplink"><strong>Flickr/Sam Howzit</strong></a>

• Burger King Stuffed Steakhouse Burger

  If fast food has taught us one thing, it is this: Any food item can be stuffed inside any other. <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/burger-king-rolls-out-premium-hamburger?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>Burger King's Stuffed Steakhouse Burger</strong></a>, introduced earlier this year, is a prime example. Not content to simply put cheese atop a burger patty, the chain stuffed bits of Cheddar and jalapeño inside the beef, for "an experience you can see and taste in every bite." <em>Related:</em> <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/burger-king-debut-new-fries?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>Burger King to Debut New Fries</strong></a> <em>Photo Credit:</em> © <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/theimpulsivebuy/" target="_hplink"><strong>Flickr/theimpulsivebuy</strong></a>

• Pizza Hut's Big Dinner Box

  Pizza Hut's "epic-size" repast offers up two medium pizzas, <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/americas-best-buffalo-wings-slideshow?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>eight wings</strong></a>, and five breadsticks -- in one convenient box! For the low prize of $20, ravenous diners might be tempted to scarf down the entire thing themselves, but please, make this one a family affair: The items in a single box are estimated to contain around 5,000 calories. <em>Related:</em> <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/10-fast-food-favorites-made-healthy-slideshow-0?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>10 Fast Food Favorites Made "Healthy"</strong></a> <em>Photo Credit:</em> © <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/aloha75/" target="_hplink"><strong>Flickr/Sam Howzit</strong></a>

• Dunkin' Donuts Sausage Pancake Bites

  If you're craving a pancake and sausage breakfast, but just can't find the time, <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/dunkin-debuts-new-holiday-items-45?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>Dunkin' Donuts</strong></a> discovered a solution in 2011. An order of the chain's Sausage Pancake Bites offered diners three nuggets of flapjack dough that each enclosed a sausage link. A trio of nuggets also managed to enclose 20 grams of fat, more than most doughnuts. <em>Related:</em> <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/mcdonalds-magic-window-menu-slideshow?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>McDonald's Menu Mash-Up</strong></a> <em>Photo Credit:</em> © <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/theimpulsivebuy/" target="_hplink"><strong>Flickr/theimpulsivebuy</strong></a>

• Taco Bell Doritos Locos Tacos

  Think outside the bun -- and the conventional taco shell. In an apparent bid to include as much junk as possible in a single meal, <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/taco-bell-looks-reinvent-taco?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>Taco Bell</strong></a> used California and Ohio residents as guinea pigs to test shells made entirely of Doritos' nacho-flavored chips. The cheesy delicacy might be introduced nationwide next year, when, presumably, the chain will also swaps burrito wraps for potato chips. <em>Related:</em> <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/chicos-tacos-love-story?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>Chico's Tacos: A Love Story</strong></a> <em>Photo Credit:</em> © thatsnerdalicious

• Friendly's Ultimate Grilled-Cheese BurgerMelt

  Why eat one sandwich, when you can eat three? The KFC Double Down may have replaced a burger bun with fried chicken, but this year, Friendly's managed to outdo even that monstrosity. They swapped out a cheeseburger's bread with two entire grilled cheese sandwiches. This gastronomical innovation, not surprisingly, is also a caloric nightmare: 1,500 per sandwich(es). Even that <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/no-happy-ending-friendlys?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>doesn't seem to be helping the company</strong></a> -- the 76-year-old family-dining brand filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Oct. 5, and is scheduled to be auctioned Dec. 22. <em>Related:</em> <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/no-happy-ending-friendlys?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>No Happy Ending for Friendly's</strong></a> <em>Photo Credit:</em> © <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zombieite/" target="_hplink"><strong>Flickr/zombieite</strong></a>

• Denny's Mac 'N Cheese Big Daddy Patty Melt

  Leave it to Denny's to create a sandwich that has <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/01/dennys-mac-n-cheese-patty-melt_n_945390.html" target="_hplink"><strong>both mac 'n cheese and hamburger meat</strong></a> as ingredients...and sauce and more cheese. This gutbomb was part of Denny's "Let's Get Cheesy" menu, and cheesy it is indeed. We fear what the chain will come up with next, given that this calorie-laden meal has twice the calories as a stick of butter. <em>Related</em>: <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/americas-best-buffalo-wings-slideshow?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>America's Best Buffalo Wings</strong></a> <em>Photo Credit</em>: Denny's

Comments

[robert5]

03:10 PM on 05/15/2012

The study is highly unethical and should not have been approved by any IRB or reviewing authority - when weight loss, lower fat intake and other interventions are already standard of care this study places participants at great risk. As a matter of comparison, it's not very much different, as described in this post, from Tuskeegee experiments in which participants were intentionally infected with syphillis merely to observe how they would progress.

[c-tom]

12:51 AM on 05/14/2012

So you have to over-eat fast food for 90 days. Do they pay for the meals plus $3500?
Not that I'd sign up in either case; loosing weight is much harder for me than gaining it.

[JWerner]

08:59 PM on 05/14/2012

Yeah, losing weight isn't always the easiest thing to do, especially after you've spent 3 months eating nothing but fast food. There are more concerns than just weight gain, as well. . .you likely won't be getting all or even most of your nutrition, unless you go out of your way to ensure you're eating something along the lines of a balanced meal via fast food. Most participants will likely start feeling pretty lousy by the end of those 3 months.

I wouldn't do it, personally. Not for 3500 even with meals covered. It's not worth the hassle and effort of losing that weight afterwards, assuming you even care.

[taddles]

11:03 PM on 05/13/2012

So they are trying to "scientifically" verify the Spurlock documentary where he eats nothing but Mcdonalds food for a month, gains 25 pounds, nearly shuts down his liver function, and ends up taking 14 months on a vegan diet to loose the weight? To what end? to prove beyond any more doubt that fast food is garbage?

[JWerner]

09:00 PM on 05/14/2012

Well, there are some doubts as to the accuracy of the documentary, I think. This sort of study would help to ensure more accuracy as to what happens when someone eats a lot of fast food on a regular basis. The more studies, the better.

[taddles]

10:40 PM on 05/14/2012

Agree.

[liberalarmyfamily]

07:48 PM on 05/13/2012

I just watched the video, darn, you have to already be at least 30 pounds overweight to begin with! Then you are supposed to gain another 5% of your body fat? Wow, talk about nailing your own coffin. The only benefit I can see is if someone is desperate enough to get enrolled into a free weight loss program and this is their only foreseeable option.

[JWerner]

09:04 PM on 05/14/2012

2.5 months ago I might've qualified. . .I was at 235-240 lbs, and I'm supposed to be somewhere around 200 (I'm 6' and broad-shouldered). I'm now at 219-220 lbs after about 2 months of eating a proper diet, for the most part. Amazing what eating the right kind of food can do for you, especially when you make sure you don't pig out on it.

[liberalarmyfamily]

07:38 PM on 05/13/2012

No way I could do it. I just get that greasy feeling just driving by these joints. I feel sick after eating one day there I'd be horribly ill after a few days.

[FreedomMan]

03:39 PM on 05/13/2012

Will the participants get health insurance policies too ?

[G l Rockwell]

02:34 PM on 05/12/2012

eating poison is suicidal

[MyResponsibility]

11:46 PM on 05/11/2012

I would do it. One can eat every meal at Md's and do well. Oatmeal or egg McMuffin with milk for breakfast. Salad with grilled chicken or original grilled chicken no mayo on whole grain bun and northern ice tea for lunch. Bag of apple slices for afternoon snack. Salad with grilled chicken for dinner with milk or northern ice tea. Missing a bit of whole grains, bit enlightenment veg servings, antioxidants from tea, fruit serving. Really not that hard to eat healthy even at McD's.

[Enid]

12:01 PM on 05/12/2012

remember THIRTY DAYS where the guy eat McD for thirty days
and almost died.

[MyResponsibility]

02:22 PM on 05/12/2012

No, I don't remember any such near death experience. One will Norberto even remotely closeting death as a result of 30 days of McD's only meals.

[dragondancer1814]

04:35 PM on 05/13/2012

No, that was "Super Size Me." What that did to Spurlock was both disgusting and dangerous.

[liberalarmyfamily]

07:35 PM on 05/13/2012

it says you have to gain 5% of your body weight so I'm not thinking they want you to eat the oatmeal.

But really you should watch Supersize me. I was shocked at that movie and how much sugar was in the foods that you would not expect to have sugar in.

[JWerner]

09:14 PM on 05/14/2012

Even the salads at places like McDonalds aren't healthy, because they put stuff on 'em to kickstart the flavor. They also have all sorts of toppings and dressings on the salad, etc. The most I'd go with on a salad anywhere would be simple leafy greens (lettuce, spinach, etc), some radishes, and healthy vinaigrette instead of a standard dressing like ranch or 1000 island. That's all a salad should need.

The chicken is either loaded with salt or is breaded or otherwise rendered not-that-great for you. The egg McMuffin stuff. . .not that great, again due to lots of salt and whatnot. It's really the overuse of salt, sugar, and saturated fats, and the lack of many nutrients, that makes fast food unhealthy.

[Jameslyons]

02:40 PM on 05/11/2012

Way too dangerous. Diabetes isn't worth 3500.

I feel sick after eating processed foods two days in a row. I couldn't imagine 90 days.

[laurenproof12]

01:15 PM on 05/11/2012

Do we really not know that eating only fast food for 3 months will lead to health problems? Why do we need to study this in this mannor? this is crazy, and for only 3500? What crazy people out there would do this to themselves?!?!

[2crudedudes]

03:00 PM on 05/11/2012

"common knowledge" and scientific knowledge are very different. And yet, this is a terrible idea that borders on unethical.

[JWerner]

09:19 PM on 05/14/2012

That's why they're leaving to choice in the hands of adults who are deemed able to make the decision for themselves. How else are they going to collect data?

[MsLayDi]

08:09 PM on 05/11/2012

Lauren, some people eat it every day for nothing. At least this way they get something from it, other than indigestion.

[laurenproof12]

05:09 PM on 05/13/2012

Gross!

[shortylion]

10:36 AM on 05/11/2012

that's too bad that you *have* to gain at least 5% of your body weight in order to complete the study (and I suppose earn the $3500?). I know that fast food restaurants have "healthier" choices that are far less shall say...calorically dense than what they are known for. It IS absolutely possible to eat at fast food restaurants and not gain weight, as long as you inform yourself (the information is out there, both on the web and at the actual fast food restaurant) and make healthier choices and eat in moderation.

[laurenproof12]

01:14 PM on 05/11/2012

Health isn't just about a weight number. Why do people put these toxins in their body, gross.

[hollymayberry]

01:25 PM on 05/11/2012

"I know that fast food restaurants have "healthier" choices that are far less shall say...calorically dense than what they are known for."

It's funny you say that...because in most cases the "healthy" choices are just or even more calorie dense, and made out of just the same type of poor ingredients the other crap is.

Healthy fast food is an oxymoron and just a great example of how those corporations are brainwashing Americans, and now spreading their disease to the rest of the world.

[shortylion]

06:02 PM on 05/13/2012

uh, it's not that funny, if you ask for a grilled chicken sandwich from say Wendy's, ask for mustard instead of mayo and no cheese instead of the double bacon cheeseburger, then you are going to have a smaller meal in terms of calories. I certainly don't eat at fast food restaurants everyday, but I thought it was my body and I should be able to do with it as I want. Or that's just if I want an abortion, everything has to be weighed in (ha ha) by the food police or the sun tan police or whatever any other "police" there are to take the fun out of my life.

As far as "toxins" I know that people use that as a buzz word but people are not putting uranium into their bodies when they are eating some french fries. They are putting salt and fat and carbs. Will that contribute to being fatter than one should if one over does it? Yup. Moderation is the key. If you don't like it, don't eat there! And you can go to a super fancy restaurant and totally over do it as far as fat, carbs and calories go. Fast food restaurants don't have the market cornered on high fat, high calorie meals. But there are plentiful and out there and an easy target.

[hollymayberry]

10:02 AM on 05/11/2012

i feel sorry for the people who will participate in the study. but hopefully finally the results will convince the idiots who eat fast food of the damage they are doing to themselves.

[morgantee]

09:24 AM on 05/11/2012

How much is being spent on this study and do we really need to have it done? Are there not enough obese people already in America? Why are we going out and encouraging people to get fat? This is about the stupidest study ever to be conducted. No doubt it is being funded by the fast food industry. They want to prove once and for all that their food is not the cause of obesity in America. The fast food industry is under fire for making America fat. But it's not the food we are eating. It's the amount of food and the lack of exercise. I would love a study where pepole are paid to exercise every day for 3 months -- and companies give employees the time off to exercise -- and then we can study how much weight can be lost-- if we all took the time-- or had the time to exercise. Why are we only paying people to eat-- and not paying people to be pro-active?

[twixypeps]

09:20 AM on 05/11/2012

ew, $3500 isn't enough!

[fishpolefish]

09:00 AM on 05/11/2012

Lol, I do that now, and don't get paid to do it.