A Systems Approach to Tackle Barriers for Healthy Eating among People Experiencing Disadvantages

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Dades bibliogràfiques
Publicat a:	European Journal of Public Health vol. 35, no. Supplement_4 (Oct 2025)
Autor principal:	van Duin, E W
Altres autors:	Van Kerckhove, J, Cardon, G, Poelman, M P, Djojosoeparto, S K, Kamphuis, CBM, Sonneveld, N, Harrington, J M, Vandevijvere, S
Publicat:	Oxford University Press
Matèries:	Beverages Food At risk populations Markets Citizens Commodities Eating behavior Eating Grass roots movement Community centers Behavior Neighborhoods Nutrition Health disparities Habits Political factors Policies Barriers Professionals Action Leverage Information dissemination Behavior modification Healthy food Vulnerability Health initiatives Stakeholders Inequality Behavior change Drinks Community organizations Health services Health behavior Information sharing Socioeconomic factors Access Change agents Trade Diet Dissemination Systems approach Low income groups Social
Accés en línia:	Citation/Abstract Full Text - PDF
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Descripció
Resum:	Individuals’ dietary behaviour is concentrated on nutrient-poor food and beverages, which magnifies persisting health inequities, as vulnerable groups are more exposed to unhealthy products. Agentic approaches do not acknowledge the complex interplay of the commercial, societal, and political factors that are at the root of this behaviour, creating the illusion that individuals are solely responsible for their health. Systems thinking can provide insights into these intricate problems and can help to identify leverage points for action. This study - as part of the Era4Health FoodPath project - aimed to identify barriers related to healthy eating among people in vulnerable socio-economic situations, from the perspective of both citizens and local stakeholders. Three Group Model Building sessions were organised: one with professionals (n = 6) and one with individuals from a vulnerable neighbourhood in Ghent (n = 8) separately, aimed at creating a causal loop diagram (CLD) depicting the barriers towards healthy eating, guided by the Nutrition Equity framework. The last session combined both groups to understand different perspectives and identify leverage and action points for change. The two CLDs were integrated to illustrate the multiplex of factors influencing individuals’ dietary behaviour. The sessions highlighted the importance of policies, the food environment, and food-related assistance. While in the session with the professionals the value of policies was discussed, the citizens stressed the importance of the availability of local initiatives. Social initiatives were regarded as the pathway towards tackling barriers, through the dissemination of information, bottom-up approaches, or local food markets, next to (policy)-actions on the accessibility of unhealthy commodities. The results can be used to inform stakeholders and policy to foster healthy eating behaviours among individuals in vulnerable situations and reduce health inequities. Key messages • Policies and grassroots initiatives - like local markets, community centres, and information sharing - are crucial for facilitating healthy dietary behaviour and driving change. • Systems approaches are necessary to tackle unhealthy dietary habits and reduce health inequities.
ISSN:	1101-1262 1464-360X
DOI:	10.1093/eurpub/ckaf161.1135
Font:	ABI/INFORM Global