Project Strategy & Approach
There is a lot of truth in the old adage “You are what you eat.” Research is increasingly proving how true this is for the human brain. Commercial production of animals such as chickens and fish alters the ratios and types of fatty acids in the meat humans consume. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are called “essential” fatty acids because the human body cannot synthesize them; it pulls them from food. Equal amounts of each are present in a healthy brain, so scientists suggest consuming them in equal amounts. This is becoming increasingly difficult, however, as the diets of farm animals throw the ratios of these two fatty acids far out of balance. As a result, unequal amounts of Omega-3 and Omega-6 can contribute to mental illnesses. Diet has been linked to mental health problems such as depression, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This project focuses on depression.
Key Words That Drive The Visual Solution
Depression
Perfect
Relax
Damage
Risk
Project Tagline
My brain paid for dinner.
Desired Outcome
This project addresses “Mandie,” a woman between 35 and 45 years old. A working woman with a 4-year-old daughter, Kara, Mandie is used to multi-tasking and moving quickly. She usually doesn’t have time to cook huge meals, but she tries to keep what she does cook fairly healthy. Most of the family’s protein comes from seafood or chicken. Mandie’s downtime is priceless due to her schedule. When her sister can keep Kara for a few hours, Mandie loves going out for long dinners with her husband. Since they both focus so intently on their careers, meals have become one of the couple’s few bonding opportunities.
This story will juxtapose a perfect, relaxing dinner against the effects of depression, one disorder linked to an Omega fatty acid imbalance. The stark opposites result in a provocative, shocking message that will raise awareness of this risk and possibly even alter behavior.