Desk Research
In conjunction with our Statement of Values, we investigated current issues, social attitudes, typical approaches, and cutting-edge products and services to identify potential areas for design solutions.
We continued to conduct Desk Research throughout the project process.
A sampling of sites
The following list of sites is a sample of the depth and breadth of areas we investigated during the Fresh Start project. Our research included both sources directly related to obesity, and non-traditional areas as blackwater treatment and music videos.
We believe these non-traditional areas of research have indirect relevance to some of the larger issues surrounding obesity: for example, blackwater treatment involves treating sewage before it leaves the building. Although the link to obesity may seem tenuous, relevance lies in personal responsibility and addressing large problems using small-scale solutions.
In general, these non-traditional areas of research were useful for illuminating alternative directions and approaches for design solutions, and for providing creative inspiration.
(Note: the following sites were live in Spring of 2005 and may no longer be available/accessible.)
Websites dealing with obesity
http://www.obesity.org/subs/news.shtml
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/
http://www.obesityresearch.org/
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/nutrit.htm
http://www.iotf.org/
http://www.naaso.org/
http://www.annecollins.com/obesity/
http://www.nationalobesityforum.org.uk/
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/hottopics/obesity/
http://www.activelivingbydesign.org/
http://www.backspace.com/
http://www.designcenter.umn.edu/
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/
http://www.mindfully.org/
http://www.design-council.org.uk/
http://www.obesite.com/index2.php
http://www.healthyontario.com/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4211789.stm
http://www.dimensionsmagazine.com/
http://www.casagordita.com/want.htm
http://www.anred.com/obese.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4123433.stm
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20020101/81.html
http://edition.cnn.com/
http://www.sptimes.com/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/
http://www.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/
http://health.yahoo.com/
The Bell Curve - Atul Gawande
http://newyorker.com/fact/content/?041206fa_fact
The Tipping Point - Malcolm Gladwell
http://www.gladwell.com/tippingpoint/index.html
http://www.amazon.com/
Fast Food Nation - Eric Schlosser
http://www.mcspotlight.org/media/books/schlosser.html
http://www.amazon.com/
http://dir.salon.com/
The Tragedy of the Commons - Garrett Hardin
http://www.sciencemag.org/
Super Size Me - Morgan Spurlock
http://www.supersizeme.com/
WarGames
http://www.imdb.com/
Remind Me - Röyksopp (video)
http://www.astralwerks.com/
Blackwater Treatment
http://www.otterwasser.de/
http://archrecord.construction.com/
http://www.jerusalemcityfarmers.org/greywaterguide.html
http://www.univercity.ca/
http://www.edcmag.com/CDA/ArticleInformation/
Animaniacs songs
http://das.iocon.com/_aude/animan/additive.mp3
http://das.iocon.com/_aude/animan/yakkos_universe.mp3