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Using group model building to understand factors that influence childhood obesity in an urban environment. J Public Health Manag Pract 2015;21 Suppl 3:S74-8

Date

04/02/2015

Pubmed ID

25828225

DOI

10.1097/PHH.0000000000000219

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84988700961 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   27 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite increased attention, conventional views of obesity are based upon individual behaviors, and children and parents living with obesity are assumed to be the primary problem solvers. Instead of focusing exclusively on individual reduction behaviors for childhood obesity, greater focus should be placed on better understanding existing community systems and their effects on obesity. The Milwaukee Childhood Obesity Prevention Project is a community-based coalition established to develop policy and environmental change strategies to impact childhood obesity in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The coalition conducted a Group Model Building exercise to better understand root causes of childhood obesity in its community.

METHODS: Group Model Building is a process by which a group systematically engages in model construction to better understand the systems that are in place. It helps participants make their mental models explicit through a careful and consistent process to test assumptions. This process has 3 main components: (1) assembling a team of participants; (2) conducting a behavior-over-time graphs exercise; and (3) drawing the causal loop diagram exercise.

RESULTS: The behavior-over-time graph portion produced 61 graphs in 10 categories. The causal loop diagram yielded 5 major themes and 7 subthemes.

CONCLUSIONS: Factors that influence childhood obesity are varied, and it is important to recognize that no single solution exists. The perspectives from this exercise provided a means to create a process for dialogue and commitment by stakeholders and partnerships to build capacity for change within the community.

Author List

Nelson DA, Simenz CJ, OʼConnor SP, Greer YD, Bachrach AL, Shields T, Fuller BA, Horrigan K, Pritchard K, Springer JB, Meurer JR

Authors

John R. Meurer MD, MBA Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin
David A. Nelson PhD Professor in the Family Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Christopher Simenz PhD Clinical Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy department at Marquette University
Christopher J. Simenz PhD Associate Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Behavior Therapy
Causality
Exercise
Focus Groups
Humans
Pediatric Obesity
Public Health
Social Behavior
Wisconsin