Whole Systems Approach to Childhood Obesity

• Project start date: 1 June 2020
• Project status: Completed
• Project type: Nutrition
• Discipline: Obesity
• Principal researcher/s: Dr. Cale Lawlor and Dr. Mirjam Heinen, University College Dublin and Dr. Roisin O’Neill and Dr. Laura McGowan, Queen’s University Belfast.

Research objective

The research aims to assess the efficacy of whole systems approaches to childhood obesity by conducting a comprehensive literature review. It identifies the key features, facilitators, and barriers of these approaches and examines how such strategies can be developed and implemented in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The objective is to inform future interventions that address childhood obesity on a societal level, considering a wide range of influencing factors, including socioeconomic status, environment, and policy context. This review supports policymakers and local decision-makers in adopting effective, multi-level strategies to tackle childhood obesity.

Outputs

Research report

• Title: Whole systems approach to childhood obesity
• Publication date: 13 November 2021
• Summary: Whole systems approaches can effectively address the complex and interconnected determinants of obesity, especially when integrated into existing policies.
• Findings:
  • The review identifies 14 whole systems approaches to childhood obesity, highlighting their varied implementation across different settings.
  • Many of these interventions operate on a community or city level, using multi-level strategies involving schools, local governments, health services, and private stakeholders.
  • Findings indicate that interventions with strong leadership, community engagement, cross-sector collaboration, and a mix of universal and targeted strategies show promising results in reducing childhood obesity rates.
  • However, the effectiveness of these approaches varies, with some reporting positive outcomes, such as reduced BMI and increased physical activity, while others show mixed or negligible effects.
  • Key factors influencing success include long-term commitment, financial support, and flexibility in implementation to accommodate local needs.
  • The report emphasises that whole systems approaches can effectively address the complex and interconnected determinants of obesity, especially when integrated into existing policies.
  • Despite the mixed results, the evidence suggests that with proper planning, community involvement, and strategic partnerships, whole systems approaches can contribute to more sustainable outcomes in combating childhood obesity.
• Recommendations:

  1. Ensure ongoing, committed political leadership to unify goals across sectors and levels, fostering collaboration and consistent policy direction.

  2. Provide secure and long-term funding for the entire duration of the programme to guarantee sustainability and support local capacity building.

  3. Design interventions with a long-term focus, increasing the sustainability of efforts through building local collaboration, relationships, and community capacity.

  4. Recognise the complex layers of influence on individual health, including social, economic, and environmental determinants, and address these factors in programme design.

  5. Promote collaboration across sectors, including health, education, infrastructure, and private stakeholders, ensuring consistent language and a unified understanding of intervention goals.

  6. Engage local communities heavily in the development and implementation of interventions, tailoring programs to local needs and promoting community ownership.

  7. Implement flexible programs that can be adapted based on ongoing assessments and unexpected outcomes, allowing for strategic reorientation as needed.

  8. Involve a wide range of stakeholders, including private actors and enterprises, to ensure a comprehensive approach to influencing individual and community health.

  9. Combine universal strategies with targeted interventions for vulnerable groups, ensuring inclusivity and addressing diverse needs.

  10. Frame interventions as holistic health programs for all, rather than solely focusing on obesity, to encourage broader engagement and participation.

  11. Ensure access to detailed data for analysis and use diverse outcome measures, including psychological and social well-being, to capture the full impact of interventions.

  You can download the report below.

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