scholarly journals Framing the Consequences of Childhood Obesity to Increase Public Support for Obesity Prevention Policy

2013 ◽  
Vol 103 (11) ◽  
pp. e96-e102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Gollust ◽  
Jeff Niederdeppe ◽  
Colleen L. Barry
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Prevention Policy ◽  
Obesity Prevention Policy

scholarly journals ‘Choice’: what we mean by it, and what that means for preventing childhood obesity

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine M Porter
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Small Subset ◽  
Word Choice ◽  
Individual Choice ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Prevention Policy ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Childhood Obesity Prevention ◽  
The Usa

AbstractObjective(i) To map how US adults value ‘choice’ in the context of obesity policy and (ii) to discuss implications for obesity prevention in children.DesignSemi-structured interviews (n 105) were conducted between 2006 and 2009 about causes of and solutions to childhood obesity. Quotes captured in field notes from community meetings (n 6) on childhood obesity prevention were also analysed. Each use of the word ‘choice’ and its variants was identified in these texts. Content and discourse were analysed to identify the implied values and meaning in each use.SettingNorth-eastern USA.SubjectsOne hundred and five adults, some involved in childhood obesity prevention initiatives.ResultsThree distinct frames of ‘choice’ emerged: (i) having choices (choice as freedom), (ii) making choices (choice as responsibility) and (iii) influencing choices (contextual constraints and impacts on choice). Many speakers used more than one frame over the course of an interview. Most people using the third frame seemed to share the values behind the first two frames, but focused on conditions required to enable people to be accountable for their choices and to make truly free choices. A small subset thought outside the frame of individual choice, valuing, as one person put it, a ‘social contract’.ConclusionsPublic debate in the USA about responsibility for and solutions to rising obesity rates often hinges on notions of ‘choice’. These frames, and the values underlying them, are not mutually exclusive. Respecting the values behind each ‘choice’ frame when crafting obesity prevention policy and employing all three in public communications about such policy may facilitate greater consensus on prevention measures.

scholarly journals Perspectives of Fijian Policymakers on the Obesity Prevention Policy Landscape

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Marie Hendriks ◽  
Mere Y. Delai ◽  
Anne-Marie Thow ◽  
Jessica S. Gubbels ◽  
Nanne K. De Vries ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Limited Resource ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Intersectoral Collaboration ◽  
Pacific Island ◽  
Prevention Policy ◽  
Self Sufficiency ◽  
Obesity Prevention Policy ◽  
Pacific Island Countries

In Fiji and other Pacific Island countries, obesity has rapidly increased in the past decade. Therefore, several obesity prevention policies have been developed. Studies show that their development has been hampered by factors within Fiji’s policy landscape such as pressure from industry. Since policymakers in the Fijian national government are primarily responsible for the development of obesity policies, it is important to understand their perspectives; we therefore interviewed 15 policymakers from nine Fijian ministries. By applying the “attractor landscape” metaphor from dynamic systems theory, we captured perceived barriers and facilitators in the policy landscape. A poor economic situation, low food self-sufficiency, power inequalities, inappropriate framing of obesity, limited policy evidence, and limited resource sharing hamper obesity policy developments in Fiji. Facilitators include policy entrepreneurs and policy brokers who were active when a window of opportunity opened and who strengthened intersectoral collaboration. Fiji’s policy landscape can become more conducive to obesity policies if power inequalities are reduced. In Fiji and other Pacific Island countries, this may be achievable through increased food self-sufficiency, strengthened intersectoral collaboration, and the establishment of an explicit functional focal unit within government to monitor and forecast the health impact of policy changes in non-health sectors.

scholarly journals Understanding the dynamics of obesity prevention policy decision-making using a systems perspective: A case study of Healthy Together Victoria

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brydie Clarke ◽  
Janelle Kwon ◽  
Boyd Swinburn ◽  
Gary Sacks
Keyword(s):  
Political Science ◽  
Policy Change ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Policy Adoption ◽  
Prevention Policy ◽  
Stakeholder Consultation ◽  
Policy Actors ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Field Note ◽  
Obesity Prevention Policy

Introduction Despite 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. Methods Data 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. Results The 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. Conclusion Policy 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.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document