Systems science for developing policy to improve physical activity, the Caribbean.
View / Open Files
Authors
Guariguata, Leonor
Unwin, Nigel
Garcia, Leandro
Samuels, T Alafia
Guell, Cornelia
Publication Date
2021-10-01Journal Title
Bulletin of the World Health Organization
ISSN
0042-9686
Publisher
World Health Organization
Volume
99
Issue
10
Pages
722-729
Language
eng
Type
Article
This Version
VoR
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Guariguata, L., Unwin, N., Garcia, L., Woodcock, J., Samuels, T. A., & Guell, C. (2021). Systems science for developing policy to improve physical activity, the Caribbean.. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 99 (10), 722-729. https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.20.285297
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Action Plan on Physical Activity recommends adopting a systems approach to implementing and tailoring actions according to local contexts. We held group model-building workshops with key stakeholders in the Caribbean region to develop a causal loop diagram to describe the system driving the increasing physical inactivity in the region and envision the most effective ways of intervening in that system to encourage and promote physical activity. We used the causal loop diagram to inform how the WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity might be adapted to a local context. Although the WHO recommendations aligned well with our causal loop diagram, the diagram also illustrates the importance of local context in determining how interventions should be coordinated and implemented. Some interventions included creating safe physical activity spaces for both sexes, tackling negative attitudes to physical activity in certain contexts, including in schools and workplaces, and improving infrastructure for active transport. The causal loop diagram may also help understand how policies may be undermined or supported by key actors or where policies should be coordinated. We demonstrate how, in a region with a high level of physical inactivity and low resources, applying systems thinking with relevant stakeholders can help the targeted adaptation of global recommendations to local contexts.
Keywords
Caribbean Region, Exercise, Female, Humans, Male, Policy, Workplace
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (MR/N005384/1)
Identifiers
External DOI: https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.20.285297
This record's URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/330467
Statistics
Total file downloads (since January 2020). For more information on metrics see the
IRUS guide.
Recommended or similar items
The current recommendation prototype on the Apollo Repository will be turned off on 03 February 2023. Although the pilot has been fruitful for both parties, the service provider IKVA is focusing on horizon scanning products and so the recommender service can no longer be supported. We recognise the importance of recommender services in supporting research discovery and are evaluating offerings from other service providers. If you would like to offer feedback on this decision please contact us on: support@repository.cam.ac.uk