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Systems approaches to scaling up: a systematic review and narrative synthesis of evidence for physical activity and other behavioural non-communicable disease risk factors.
- Source :
- International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity; 3/21/2024, Vol. 21 Issue 1, p1-33, 33p
- Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of death worldwide. Systems approaches have potential for creating sustainable outcomes at scale but have rarely been used to support scale up in physical activity/nutrition promotion or NCD prevention more generally. This review aimed to: (i) synthesise evidence on the use of systems approaches in scaling up interventions targeting four behavioural risk factors for NCDs; and (ii) to explore how systems approaches have been conceptualised and used in intervention implementation and scale up. Method: Seven electronic databases were searched for studies published 2016–2021. Eligible studies targeted at least one of four NCD behavioural risk factors (physical inactivity, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, diet), or described evaluation of an intervention planned for or scaled up. Studies were categorised as having a (i) high, (ii) moderate, or (iii) no use of a systems approach. A narrative synthesis of how systems approaches had been operationalised in scale up, following PRISMA guidelines. Results: Twenty-one intervention studies were included. Only 19% (n = 4) of interventions explicitly used systems thinking to inform intervention design, implementation and scale up (targeting all four risk factors n = 2, diet n = 1, tobacco use n = 1). Five studies ('high use') planned and implemented scale up with an explicit focus on relations between system elements and used system changes to drive impact at scale. Seven studies ('moderate use') considered systems elements impacting scale-up processes or outcomes but did not require achieving system-level changes from the outset. Nine studies ('no use') were designed to work at multiple levels among multiple agencies in an intervention setting, but the complexity of the system and relations between system elements was not articulated. We synthesised reported barriers and facilitators to scaling up, and how studies within each group conceptualised and used systems approaches, and methods, frameworks and principles for scaling up. Conclusion: In physical activity research, and NCD prevention more broadly, the use of systems approaches in scale up remains in its infancy. For researchers, practitioners and policymakers wishing to adopt systems approaches to intervention implementation at scale, guidance is needed on how to communicate and operationalise systems approaches in research and in practice. Trial registration: PROSPERO (CRD42021287265). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- SMOKING prevention
MEDICAL information storage & retrieval systems
RISK-taking behavior
HUMAN services programs
SPORTS
RESEARCH funding
SEDENTARY lifestyles
CINAHL database
EVALUATION of human services programs
SYSTEMS theory
INFORMATION storage & retrieval systems
DESCRIPTIVE statistics
NON-communicable diseases
SYSTEMATIC reviews
MEDLINE
HEALTH behavior
ALCOHOL drinking
PUBLIC health
PHYSICAL activity
DIET
BEHAVIOR therapy
PSYCHOLOGY information storage & retrieval systems
DISEASE risk factors
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14795868
- Volume :
- 21
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 176220553
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-024-01579-6