Applying Systems Thinking to Obesity: A PUBH6003 Report, Australia

This report delves into the public health issue of obesity, emphasizing the need for a systems thinking approach to address its prevalence. It begins with an executive summary highlighting the importance of intersectoral methods and the struggles faced by low- and middle-income countries in implementing these approaches. The report describes obesity as a lifestyle-related issue influenced by various factors, including diet and physical inactivity, and its association with chronic diseases. It outlines the roles of stakeholders, such as healthcare providers, food industries, and insurance companies, in preventing obesity and raising awareness. The report also identifies obstacles to the application of a systems thinking approach, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, such as funding limitations and lack of awareness. Finally, it suggests interventions like promoting awareness, encouraging physical activity, and monitoring nutritional values to effectively combat obesity, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and collaborative strategy involving multiple stakeholders.

Running Head: REPORT 0
Health systems and Economics
Healthcare
3-19-2020

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Executive Summary
This report emphasizes the learning outcomes of the prevalence of public health
issues such as obesity and the system thinking approach that is required in dealing with this
situation in the whole country. Low and middle-income countries lack in applying these
approaches, so this report helps in acknowledging the struggles they face in implementing the
same. It also tells about the role of stakeholders in different domains such as healthcare
providers and food industries in preventing obesity and creating awareness amongst people.
Several health insurance policies and creative marketing strategies towards better health are
an aided push towards resolving this issue. These intersectoral methods are an added
advantage and work as a great support in public health issues.

REPORT 2
Contents
Executive Summary...................................................................................................................1
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Describe the public health issue.................................................................................................3
Explain the roles of stakeholders, both within the health system and in other sectors in
addressing this issue...................................................................................................................3
Drawing on research evidence, explain the obstacles that are preventing the application of a
systems thinking approach to this issue.....................................................................................3
Based on the literature, offer suggestions (e.g. new governance arrangements) for how a
system thinking approach could be applied to this issue...........................................................4
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................4
Recommendation........................................................................................................................4

REPORT 3
Introduction
Public health is defined as the organized measures at both private and public levels
that are being taken to prevent the spread of disease and to promote the importance of health
and wellbeing in society. System thinking is a modelled and structured practice by the
stakeholders in public health to improve the health of the society. Thus, public health is
focused on the eradication of the issues with the participation of the whole system with the
help of a system thinking approach (WHO, 2003) . This report emphasizes on the use of
system thinking approach for the disease like obesity which is quite prevalent but often
ignored.
Describe the public health issue.
For every individual, their body weight is determined by various factors including
genetic, metabolic, socioeconomic, environmental and many more. However, the major
factor which is the major cause of the obesity and overweight of an individual is their
lifestyle which affects their metabolic functioning. The dietary intake and the physical
inactivity of the person causes a significant rise in the Body mass index of the person which
hence indicates the obese condition (National Institutes of Health, 2001).
Changing lifestyle and lack of physical inactivity that can be observed among the
adults is the major cause of obesity. While among children unhealthy eating habits such as
regular consumption of junk foods is primary cause. Moreover, food adulteration, eating
disorders due to depression or mental problems are other secondary causes of people being
overweight. Obesity is related to abdominal adiposity and is highly preventable. It can lead to
major chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, depression in both adults
and children if ignored or left untreated (Hruby & Hu , 2015).
Roles of stakeholders
In a report, it was published that the insights about obesity moved the physicians and
they came up with the different implementation of new and innovative guidelines to have
mindful intake of food and calories on daily basis. Apart from this, physicians and healthcare
providers must educate patients about different health care agendas and the use of preventive
medicines (Blackburn & Walker, 2005).
The increasing cases of obesity cases have alarmed the food industry and they have
started with new implementation to control the case. In the snacking industry, specific and

REPORT 4
variety of diet products are being introduced, nutritional quality is being improved as well as
healthy and engaging marketing of the products has been implemented in the advertisement
and sale of the products. Medical health facilities and insurance policies to ease the pressure
of the medical fees are incorporated. Apart from this digital platform has helped a lot in
creating awareness about healthy and mindful eating habits and nutrition intake for all age
groups (Astrup, Bovy, Nackenhorst, & Popova, 2006).
The obstacles in the systems thinking approach
In a research survey, it was being noted that the low- and middle-income countries
mostly in the eastern Mediterranean region do not have a system thinking approach in the
public health care sector. The research also established several l results regarding the
constraints that can be observed such as lack of primary funding form the government of
health organizations which accounts for 53 percent. Lack of awareness, limited resources,
and capacity and difficulty in coordinating with stakeholders are another points that create
hindrance in the implementation of the system thinking approach in countries like Oman,
Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan and other Eastern Mediterranean countries (El-Jardali, Adam, Ataya,
Jamal, & Jaafar, 2014).
Application of system thinking approach
The system thinking approach is a potential approach that involves the participation of
policymakers, consultants and system designers. System thinking approach if planned and
modeled correctly can-do wonders and can improve the quality of health in the society or
country by large. Filling up the gaps between different stakeholders is the major application
of this approach. Delivering financial support to the patients in need and patient-friendly
policies and decisions are other applications. In a study, it was being discussed that several
interventions can be made to the case of obesity. It starts with very basic modification which
involves the spread of awareness about the harmful effects of obesity in the long run and
making people educate about the importance of healthy eating and mindful calorie intake
(Pronk & Boucher, 1999).
People must marginalize the unhealthy food products and must develop self-
determination to overcome the temptations and cravings of junk food. Parallel with to
increase the physical activities different exercise programs such as marathons, discounted
gym memberships, and free routine health checkups policies can be implemented for the

REPORT 5
people struggling with overweight. Keeping a strict check on the nutritional values of the
snacking and packaged food items. (Lee, et al., 2017).
Conclusion
Hence this report discusses the public health issue which must be addressed as a
priority as it may lead to other complications as well. However, it focuses on the active
participation of stakeholders both in healthcare as well as incorporate sector in addressing the
cause of obesity. This report stated that the low-income countries mostly the eastern
Mediterranean countries which do not follow the systems thinking approach and the
hardships that they face in implementing this approach. It also suggests some interventions
that can be applied to this issue in controlling the prevalence of obesity.
Recommendation
Providing the system support helps in eradicating diseases at a much faster pace. It is
not just limited to the individual plan but the involvement of other stakeholders is beneficial.
Countries must try to implement these approaches step by step starting right from the smaller
sections of people with the help of well-planned models and strategies (Finegood, 2012).

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References
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