There’s a reason why the “freshman 15” is common language on many college campuses. With so many miles between students and a good, home-cooked meal, fitting a “No. 6, super-sized please” into the food pyramid becomes a little easier.

Morgan Spurlock, award-winning director of “Super Size Me,” spoke candidly to approximately 1,000 listeners at his lecture in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union Thursday night — warning against the dangers of getting suckered into the world of fast food.

In his documentary about the fast-food industry, Spurlock embarked on a 30-day McDonald’s diet and led audiences through weight gain, depression and heart palpitations.

Spurlock said the idea came to him when he was watching TV one day and saw a newscast involving two young women suing McDonald’s for making them overweight.

“When I heard about this story, I thought it was crazy,” Spurlock said.

But upon further contemplation, Spurlock said he could see why the women would venture such a thing. Spurlock said things such as McDonald’s targeting of children and less-than-open policy about disclosing nutrition information could warrant a case such as this.

“I may not agree with the lawsuit — but I think there is an argument here,” Spurlock said.

Spurlock said McDonald’s responded to allegations like any fast-food joint would — they made a salad.

“We think that all of a sudden they’ve got salads — everything else is better now,” he said. “Like, by osmosis. Like a lettuce curtain in front of a really fat stage.”

Not only that, Spurlock said McDonald’s is working on coming out with an exercise video for kids.

Jennifer Spry-Knutson, an instructor of fitness and sports management at Des Moines Area Community College, attended the lecture with her two children Kaylee, 7 and Kole, 2. She said Spurlock’s film made her think twice about an occasional trip to the drive through.

“It really makes you think about not eating out as often. We really encourage at our house to make healthy choices,” she said. “We talk to Kaylee all the time about making healthy choices.”

Dominique Lipscomb, junior in management, said he was a little less than impressed with Spurlock’s presentation.

“I think he’s a really good speaker,” Lipscomb said. “But I think he tried too hard to be a comedian though.”

Spurlock said the fast food industry points their finger at parents when their children have health issues. But, he said, with all the money McDonald’s spends on advertising, and the fact that they feed millions of people every day, leads him to believe that wise choices aren’t the only issue.

“See, I don’t buy these arguments anymore,” Spurlock said. “This is a two-way street.”