Issue date: 10/24/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Photo Courtesy of Eastern Illinois University vPhoto Courtesy of Eastern Illinois University Photo Courtesy of Eastern Illinois University James Painter, chair of Eastern´s School of Family and Consumer Sciences, sits with a table full of fast food during filming of the documentary, "Portion Size Me," at Morton Park. The film maintains that even fast food can be OK, as long as people eat correct portions.

Eastern professor and chair of family and consumer sciences James Painter's belief that people should eat less is so strong that he made a documentary about it.

"Portion Size Me" debuted Saturday in conjunction with the American Dietetic Association Food and Nutrition Conference in St. Louis, which runs through Tuesday.

Fifty-five Eastern alumni and students gave the film positive reviews. Jennifer Vissers, a dietetics graduate student, described the film as "intriguing."

"I thought it was very interesting, and I thought it was a great idea," she said. "And as I was watching it, I thought it would have been a very good thesis topic."

"Portion Size Me" is Painter's response to the Oscar-winning "Super Size Me" documentary.

Filmed during the summer at 10 restaurants in Coles County, the documentary follows two dietetics graduate students - 254-pound Aaron Grobengieser and 108-pound Ellen Shike - who ate portions suitable for their body types, with all the food coming from fast food restaurants and gas stations.

Painter told the students to maintain their usual body weight, but both of them ended up losing weight and even lowering their cholesterol.

"The biggest problem is that people eat too much," Painter said.

After viewing the film, both students and alumni - many of which are now dietitians -agreed with the film's message that fast food is not bad if eaten in moderation, he said.

"I think if somebody can keep their calories in check, no matter where it's from - fast food or home - as long as they are controlling themselves and the amount of food they are eating, then it wouldn't be too bad," Vissers said. "But I wouldn't suggest that somebody go out and eat (fast food) all the time."

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