Introduction
Systems thinking has become a buzz term for those trying to design, implement and evaluate community obesity prevention interventions. In this presentation I will describe efforts to apply methods from system dynamics and complex adaptive systems thinking to community intervention efforts in Victoria, the ACT and Fiji.
Methods
Following complex adaptive systems framework community leaders are engaged to develop initial systems diagrams of the causes of obesity. Leaders then engage the broader community applying group model building techniques from system dynamics thinking. Adaptive systems have generated multiple responses including application of the Collective Impact Framework. Working groups form within communities. In one recent example this has generated more than 250 unique actions across the system ranging from changes to local council policy through multiple settings change to individual programs.
Results
The whole of systems approach has demonstrated some success in preventing obesity and associated morbidities in children. The use of systems thinking techniques to develop a common understanding of the complexity of causes has been a key part of the systems redesign process. The framing of community response as complex adaptive systems provides flexibility to include the nuance of context while providing the rigor to ensure best evidence is applied and new evidence on how to work in a systems way is created.
Discussion
Systems science is beginning to move from the promise to delivery through translation of the theory into specific practice with clear tools, methods and process. The Collective Impact Framework provides a clear and applicable tool to show community organizations how to generate strong and ongoing momentum for obesity prevention initiatives.