Filmmaker Debunks “Super Size Me” Claim

Washington, D.C., April 15, 2004—Filmmaker Soso Whaley’s 30-day diet of McDonald’s meals has neared its halfway point, and not only is she feeling good, she’s lost five pounds.  Whaley’s documentary project, focusing on personal responsibility, obesity, and public health, is taking on the increasing victim mentality being fostered by public health activists and the dishonest bashing of the fast food industry. 

“This experience has taught me not to think of food as good or bad,” said Whaley, who’s also an adjunct fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute.  “Food is food, plain and simple.  It’s not inherently evil, and our only ‘problem’ is that we have been very successful as a species in learning how to create easily accessible food sources.”

Partly inspired by the soon-to-be released film Super Size Me, Whaley is demonstrating how Americans can enjoy their favorite foods and stay healthy once they decide to take control of their own well-being with a balanced approach to nutrition and exercise.  The project will also focus on the ridiculous proposition of blaming restaurants and food manufacturers for the obesity and health problems of individual Americans.

At the end of Whaley’s 30 days of all-McDonald’s meals, she will begin assembling her experience into a documentary film, to be released later this year.  Whaley’s progress, documented meal by meal and day by day, can be followed online at www.cei.org under the “Debunk the Junk” section.

Whaley contributes to two cable TV programs in New Hampshire, “Creating a Healthy Environment” and “Camo Country Outdoors,” which was recently nominated for a regional Emmy award.