Media Conference Call, Wed., May 5

Contact: Jody Clarke, 202.331.2252<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” />

 

Washington, DC, May 4, 2004—Her quest started as an attempt to show that Americans can eat fast food and maintain a healthy lifestyle, and Soso Whaley has accomplished her goal.  She lost 10 pounds and lowered her cholesterol 40 points by making wise food choices and watching her caloric intake during her one-month diet of McDonald’s food.

 

“I knew I could do it,” says Whaley, an adjunct fellow with the Competitive Enterprise Institute.  “I can’t believe all the attention over Morgan Spurlock’s Super Size Me film.  Anyone can eat like a pig to make a point and that’s exactly what he did.”

 

During her April diet of McDonald’s salads, McGriddles, and yogurt parfaits, Ms. Whaley was under the supervision of her doctor, Rayner Dickey.  “Soso is overall in better health than she was before,” says Dr. Dickey.  “She’s moving toward a better weight, her cholesterol dropped from 237 to 197, and she feels better.  When it comes right down to it, if you’re trying to lose weight, it doesn’t matter what kind of calories you put in, it’s the number of calories.  McDonald’s is not to blame for the poor diets Americans have.”

 

Ms. Whaley recorded her McDonald’s adventure and plans to release a documentary this summer.  She is pursuing this project on her own, with no funding from McDonald’s, and CEI does not receive any funding from the company or the fast food industry.

 

To find out more about Ms. Whaley’s experience, a media conference call is scheduled for Wednesday, May 5 at <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” />11:30 a.m. ET.  Dr. Dickey will also be available to answer questions.

 

Media Conference Call with Soso Whaley and Dr. Dickey

What:   To discuss the results and impact of Ms. Whaley’s one-month         McDonald’s diet

When:  Wednesday, May 5 at 11:30 a.m. ET

Call-in Info:     1.866.409.4300  

                          Entry Code:  3312252