No super size meals for Ellie

University of Teesside student Ellie Matthissen was shocked by a recent TV series and film documentary. She watched both Jamie’s School Dinners on Channel Four, where an appalled Jamie Oliver investigated the poor nutritional value of some of the UK’s school dinners and the film Super Size Me. In the latter, US film director Morgan Spurlock decided to eat a diet based entirely on McDonald’s food over a 30 day period. He filmed the results, as his physical and mental well-being rapidly declined.

Ellie was so affected by both the series and film that she focused her final year University project around sport, exercise and healthy eating for teenagers. Her project and many others will be on display at the University of Teesside’s annual design degree show. The free event takes place from Monday 6 June to Thursday 9 June, displaying the work of final-year students from the following BA (Hons) degrees: Contemporary 3D Design, Design, Design Marketing, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interior Architecture & Design and Interior Design.

The show is held at the Main Hall and Sports Hall and open to all, from 2pm – 4pm on Monday 6 June and 10am – 4pm from Tuesday 7 to Thursday 9 June. Other designs include a sea rescue craft and stretcher, a jazz club and a wind turbine.

Ellie, 22, is originally from Hertfordshire and a final year Graphic Design student. Her project is a campaign for 11-16 year olds, encouraging them to eat healthily and take part in some form of sport and exercise. The campaign includes an information booklet, posters, t-shirts and a gift bag to be given out in schools. All of the materials would be branded with a famous sports logo to appeal to teenagers.

Ellie said: “I was inspired to do this after watching Super Size Me and I was absolutely shocked when I saw Jamie Oliver’s programme, by the kids’ attitudes towards healthy eating and lack of knowledge about vegetables. I’ve tried to include things like a logo to make the campaign appealing to teenagers, as they don’t always want to listen to parents and teachers. I’ve also included less mainstream sports like roller blading and skate boarding, so it’s not just school based activities.”

Ellie also completed some first-hand market research, by talking to 32 Year Six (10-11 years old) pupils from Tilery Primary School in Stockton. Ellie added: “It was a great experience; they were a brilliant group who were really enthusiastic about sport. Their input to the project was vital; they had ideas about colours and the logo. I’d love to see the campaign taken up.”

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