ArticlePloS one2021
Understanding the dynamics of obesity prevention policy decision-making using a systems perspective: A case study of Healthy Together Victoria.
Article in PloS one, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 27 papers.
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Who cites it
27 citing papers in PubMed.
- Exploring Australian Health Promotion Practitioners' Awareness, Understanding and Application of Theories of the Policy Process in Health Promotion Practice: A Qualitative Study.Health promotion perspectives · 2026Article
- Causal Loop Diagrams of Food Systems, Diet, and Obesity: A Scoping Review of Methods, Contextual Factors, and Outcomes.Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity · 2025Article
- Analysis of food policymaking through a food systems lens: a review of analytical frameworks.Public health nutrition · 2025Review
- Article
- Including climate change in community-based obesity prevention interventions: a qualitative exploration of the perspectives of Australian funders.BMC public health · 2025Article
- Using a systems thinking approach to map the global rise of ultra-processed foods in population diets.Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity · 2025Review
- Global barriers to decision makers for prioritizing interventions for obesity.International journal of obesity (2005) · 2025Article
- Barriers and Facilitators to the Development and Implementation of Public Policies Addressing Food Systems in Five Sub-Saharan African Countries and Five of Their Cities.International journal of health policy and management · 2025Article
- Planning guidance to limit hot food takeaways: Understanding the possible economic impacts.Heliyon · 2024Article
- Effectiveness of an Artificial Intelligence-Assisted App for Improving Eating Behaviors: Mixed Methods Evaluation.Journal of medical Internet research · 2024Article
- Development of an action programme tackling obesity-related behaviours in adolescents: a participatory system dynamics approach.Health research policy and systems · 2024Article
- Elusive boundaries: using an attribute framework to describe systems for population physical activity promotion.Health promotion international · 2024Article
- Constructing causal loop diagrams from large interview data sets.System dynamics review · 2024Article
- Perseverance, partnerships and passion: ingredients for successful local government policy to promote healthy and sustainable diets.BMC public health · 2023Article
- The use of participatory systems mapping as a research method in the context of non-communicable diseases and risk factors: a scoping review.Health research policy and systems · 2023Article
- An analysis of current obesity strategies for adolescents in NSW against best practice recommendations: Implications for researchers, policymakers and practitioners.Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals · 2023Article
- Development of the Systems Thinking for Health Actions framework: a literature review and a case study.BMJ global health · 2023Review
- "An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure": Proposal for a Social Prescribing Strategy for Obesity Prevention and Improvement in Health and Well-being.JMIR research protocols · 2023Article
- Using System Dynamics to Understand Transnational Corporate Power in Diet-Related Non-communicable Disease Prevention Policy-Making: A Case Study of South Africa.International journal of health policy and management · 2023Article
- Trial collaborators' perceptions of the process of delivering Healthy Beginnings advice via telephone calls or text messages.Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals · 2022Article
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionDespite global recommendations for governments to implement a comprehensive suite of policies to address obesity, policy adoption has been deficient globally. This paper utilised political science theory and systems thinking methods to examine the dynamics underlying decisions regarding obesity prevention policy adoption within the context of the Australian state government initiative, Healthy Together Victoria (HTV) (2011-2016). The aim was to understand key influences on policy processes, and to identify potential opportunities to increase the adoption of recommended policies.
methodsData describing government processes in relation to the adoption of six policy interventions considered as part of HTV were collected using interviews (n = 57), document analyses (n = 568) and field note observations. The data were analysed using multiple political science theories. A systematic method was then used to develop a Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) for each policy intervention. A simplified meta-CLD was generated from synthesis of common elements across each of the six policy interventions.
resultsThe dynamics of policy change could be explained using a series of feedback loops. Five interconnected balancing loops served to reduce the propensity for policy change. These pertained to an organisational norm of risk aversion, and the complexity resulting from a whole-of-government policy approach and in-depth stakeholder consultation. However, seven virtuous reinforcing loops helped overcome policy resistance through policy actor capabilities that were improved over time as policy actors gained experience in advocating for change.
conclusionPolicy processes for obesity prevention are complex and resistant to change. In order to increase adoption of recommended policies, several capabilities of policy actors, including policy skills, political astuteness, negotiation skills and consensus building, should be fostered and strengthened. Strategies to facilitate effective and broad-based consultation, both across and external to government, need to be implemented in ways that do not result in substantial delays in the policy process.
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