Abstract
Background: Addressing childhood obesity is challenging due to its complexity. There has been an increasing demand for using a systems approach to tackling complex public health issues such as obesity. A few empirical studies have used this approach. However, all studies were conducted in Western populations. This brings up the issue of whether it is feasible to apply such an approach established in developed nations to culturally diverse, non-Western settings with different political systems.Aim: This thesis aimed to assess the feasibility of applying a systems approach to developing childhood obesity prevention interventions in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: This aim was addressed through five interrelated studies that answered different but complementary research questions. These included a) a systematic review of modifiable risk factors of childhood obesity in Saudi; b) an international scoping review of empirical, comprehensive application of a systems approach to obesity prevention; c) two qualitative studies exploring the readiness of the community for addressing childhood obesity, and decision makers’ perspectives regarding the use of systems approach respectively, and d) a pilot Group Model Building workshop to test the feasibility and gain practical insights.
Results: Existing literature on modifiable risk factors in Saudi is predominated by individual- level factors. Several areas must be improved before Saudis can successfully apply a systems approach to developing childhood obesity prevention interventions. Weaknesses include the current limited evidence-based, ineffective leadership, lack of collaboration and partnerships, and severely limited capacities and capabilities of local authorities and the workforce. Some positive (but limited) evidence on the effectiveness of a systems approach is available from high-income Western countries. Research from non-Western, low- and middle-income countries is lacking.
Conclusion: This PhD highlighted the importance of assessing the feasibility of applying a systems approach to developing obesity prevention interventions in non-western populations, particularly those with a highly centralised political system. The next step for Saudis should be targeting those identified weak areas to improve the feasibility of applying a systems approach to childhood obesity prevention.
| Date of Award | 6 Dec 2022 |
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| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | Bai Li (Supervisor) & Charlie Foster (Supervisor) |