Abstract
Introduction/BackgroundSystems thinking represents an innovative and logical approach to understanding complexity in community-based obesity prevention interventions. We report on an approach to apply systems thinking to understand the complexity of a successful obesity prevention intervention in early childhood (children aged up to 5 years) conducted in a regional city in Victoria, Australia.MethodsA causal loop diagram (CLD) was developed to represent system elements related to a successful childhood obesity prevention intervention in early childhood. Key stakeholder interviews (n = 16) were examined retrospectively to generate purposive text data, create microstructures, and form a CLD.ResultsA CLD representing key stakeholder perceptions of a successful intervention comprised six key feedback loops explaining changes in project implementation over time. The loops described the dynamics of collaboration, network formation, community awareness, human resources, project clarity, and innovation.ConclusionThe CLD developed provides a replicable means to capture, evaluate and disseminate a description of the dynamic elements of a successful obesity prevention intervention in early childhood.
Highlights
We report on an approach to apply systems thinking to understand the complexity of a successful obesity prevention intervention in early childhood conducted in a regional city in Victoria, Australia
A causal loop diagram (CLD) was developed to represent system elements related to a successful childhood obesity prevention intervention in early childhood
The loops described the dynamics of collaboration, network formation, community awareness, human resources, project clarity, and innovation
Summary
The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children continues to increase [1,2,3] with concomitant negative implications for long-term morbidity and mortality in adulthood.[4, 5] The high adult burden [6] and developmental profile of adult obesity reinforce the need for prevention during childhood and in early childhood.[7]Setting-based approaches have shown some promise in preventing the onset of obesity [8, 9] though this effect appears to recede once programmatic funding is removed. [10, 11] The main critique of these interventions is that they are focused on a single setting, usually preschools or health care, and overlook the broader complexity of environmental and social determinants of obesity. [10, 11] Successful interventions in the United States and Australia [8, 9, 12,13,14,15] have taken a broader community view and oriented prevention efforts across multiple community sectors and settings. [10, 11] Successful interventions in the United States and Australia [8, 9, 12,13,14,15] have taken a broader community view and oriented prevention efforts across multiple community sectors and settings. These trials support current calls for childhood obesity prevention interventions to actively engage at all levels of a community and apply multiple strategies based on a shared understanding of the numerous drivers inherent in each community context.[16]. System dynamics (SD) is one discipline within systems science that provides tools to capture and understand the complex behaviours of a system.[21, 22] One specific tool from SD, called a causal loop diagram (CLD),[23, 24] provides a shared understanding of the many drivers of complex problems and relationships between them
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
