2026-10-14T21:33:49Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/34071563 2026-10-05T17:27:43Z category_272 category_106 category_734 category_61 category_64 portal_5 item_type_3 month_year_10_2026

<p>Workshop tasks and scripts used.</p> Suzannah D’Hooghe (23564407) Yasemin Inaç (16868293) Sarah Dury (14310240) Benedicte Deforche (633904) Karin De Ridder (251273) Stefanie Vandevijvere (301877) Delfien Van Dyck (709830) Nico Van de Weghe (771392) Leonor Guariguata (5664385) Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified Science Policy Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified Developmental Biology Cancer urban flemish municipalities socioeconomically disadvantaged situations six interconnected subsystems poorer dietary outcomes locally grounded basis considering causal pathways complex systems within complex systems driving causal loop diagram adverse health effects walking among adults promote healthy eating physical isolation emerged perceived obesogenic environment disadvantaged socioeconomic context xlink "> persons two gmb sessions identify potential actions resulting cld provide flanders </ p xlink "> potential actions unhealthy eating physical activity obesogenic environments gmb ), engage adults two peri two days developing actions sustained collaboration study aimed social context restricted access reinforcing loops particularly valuable mobility options lower levels local stakeholders local policymakers limited mobility important cross government stakeholders financial constraints fewer resources <div> <p>Introduction</p><p>Persons in socioeconomically disadvantaged situations are disproportionally exposed to obesogenic environments and often have fewer resources to counteract their influence, resulting in poorer dietary outcomes and lower levels of physical activity. This study aimed to map the complex systems within the municipal obesogenic environment driving unhealthy eating behaviors and insufficient walking among adults in socioeconomically disadvantaged situations in Flanders, and to identify potential actions for local policymakers.</p> <p>Methods</p><p>Participatory group model building (GMB), a qualitative system dynamics method, was used to engage adults in socioeconomically disadvantaged situations (n = 7), local decision makers (n = 7) and local non-government stakeholders (n = 7) in two peri-urban Flemish municipalities. Two GMB sessions over two days were held in each municipality during which a causal loop diagram (CLD) was created and potential actions were identified for local policymakers by considering causal pathways and reinforcing loops in the system.</p> <p>Results</p><p>The CLD represents participants’ perceptions of how the local obesogenic environment contributes to unhealthy eating and insufficient walking among adults in socioeconomically disadvantaged situations. Six interconnected subsystems were identified: 1) social context, 2) facilities and activities, 3) mobility options, 4) information, 5) affordability, and 6) marketing and promotions. The perceived obesogenic environment, adverse health effects, and disadvantaged socioeconomic context in which individuals live mutually reinforce each other. Social and physical isolation emerged as important cross-cutting mechanisms, interacting with financial constraints, limited mobility, inadequate facilities, non-inclusive activities and restricted access to information.</p> <p>Conclusion</p><p>Participatory GMB and the resulting CLD provide a locally grounded basis for developing actions to promote healthy eating and walking among adults in socioeconomically disadvantaged situations. Actions addressing several subsystems simultaneously, while minimizing the effort required from residents to benefit from them, may be particularly valuable. Further co-design, feasibility assessment and sustained collaboration between residents, local stakeholders and decision-makers are needed to translate these findings into equitable local action.</p></div> 2026-10-05T17:27:30Z Dataset Dataset 10.1371/journal.pone.0346991.t002 https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/_p_Workshop_tasks_and_scripts_used_p_/34071563 CC BY 4.0