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Understanding the LiveLighter® obesity prevention policy processes: An investigation using political science and systems thinking

journal contribution
posted on 2020-02-01, 00:00 authored by Brydie Clarke, Boyd SwinburnBoyd Swinburn, Gary SacksGary Sacks
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd The health and economic burden associated with overweight and obesity warrants comprehensive policy action; however, to date, there has been limited policy progress globally. This study sought to advance obesity prevention policy research and practice by applying theories of the policy process to study decision-making processes involved in the adoption of the contentious LiveLighter® social marketing campaign by the Victorian government in Australia. Through analysis of documents and interviews with policy makers, this qualitative study aimed to gain a better understanding of the dynamic influences on policy decision-making. Multiple theories of the policy process were used to elucidate policy drivers and Causal Loop Diagramming methods were used to illustrate the LiveLighter® policy decision-making systems. Findings highlighted a number of key influences including: various external events, evidence of the problem and intervention effectiveness, resistance from various stakeholders and the political capabilities of central policy makers. The policy systems map provided insight into the difficulties experienced by policy actors in achieving policy change, as well as to develop a conceptual framework for identifying potential leverage points to influence future obesity prevention policy decisions. Together the findings can inform future advocacy efforts for improving the implementation of obesity prevention policy action.

History

Journal

Social Science and Medicine

Volume

246

Article number

112757

Pagination

1 - 10

Publisher

Elsevier

Location

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

ISSN

0277-9536

eISSN

1873-5347

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal