New Obesity-related Stella (story-telling) Model Available

[Tarek Abdel-Hamid]

We are in the process of creating a series of obesity-related Stella/story-telling type models (referred to as Labs)… possibly 5 in all. The target is the general population as well as academics (both System Dynamics modelers as well as school-level educators on the frontlines of the childhood obesity fight).
Lab 1 is done… and is on The Energy Balance Equation—the staple energy calculus most dieters use (but shouldn’t) to manage weight-loss. It is posted for FREE download on:
http://www.thinkingincirclesaboutobesit ... ftware.htm

My goal/hope for Lab 1 is two-fold:

1. That it helps clarify some of the serious limitations/pitfalls of the Energy Balance Equation to a wide audience. And,

2. Garner feedback from System Dynamicists to help us fine-tune the interface/user experience for Labs 2 thru 5.

We put lots of bells and whistles in the interface (movies, sounds, etc)… hopefully most of it will be found to be useful… but, I have no doubt (and hope), people will see many opportunities for improvement.