Public policy interventions for preventing and treating obesity: scoping review

Multilevel Interventions Targeting Obesity: State of the Science and Future Directions

A seminal report, released in 2001 by the Institute of Medicine, spurred research on the design, implementation, and evaluation of multilevel interventions targeting obesity and related behaviors. By addressing social and environmental factors that support positive health behavior change, interventions that include multiple levels of influence (e.g., individual, social, structural) aim to bolster effectiveness and, ultimately, public health impact. With more than 20 years of multilevel obesity intervention research to draw from, this review was informed by published reviews (n = 51) and identified intervention trials (n = 103), inclusive of all ages and countries, to elucidate key learnings about the state of the science. This review provides a critical appraisal of the scientific literature related to multilevel obesity interventions and includes a description of their effectiveness on adiposity outcomes and prominent characteristics (e.g., population, setting, levels). Key objectives for future research are recommended to advance innovations to improve population health and reduce obesity.

Childhood obesity prevention in general practice: supporting implementation through co-ideation

BACKGROUND

Childhood obesity is associated with physical and psychological complications thus the prevention of excess weight gain in childhood is an important health goal. Relevant to the prevention of childhood obesity, Australian general practice-specific, preventive care guidelines recommend General Practitioners (GPs) conduct growth monitoring and promote a number of healthy behaviours. However, challenges to providing preventive care in general practice may impact implementation. In October and November, 2022, a series of three workshops focusing on the prevention of childhood obesity were held with a group of Australian GPs and academics. The objective of the workshops was to determine practical ways that GPs can be supported to address barriers to the incorporation of obesity-related prevention activities into their clinical practice, for children with a healthy weight.

METHODS

This paper describes workshop proceedings, specifically the outcomes of co-ideation activities that included idea generation, expansion of the ideas to possible interventions, and the preliminary assessment of these concepts. The ecological levels of the individual, interpersonal, and organisation were considered.

RESULTS

Possible opportunities to support childhood obesity prevention were identified at multiple ecological levels within the clinic. The preliminary list of proposed interventions to facilitate action included GP education and training, clinical audit facilitation, readily accessible clinical guidelines with linked resources, a repository of resources, and provision of adequate growth monitoring tools in general practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Co-ideation with GPs resulted in a number of proposed interventions, informed by day-to-day practicalities, to support both guideline implementation and childhood obesity prevention in general practice.