Using community-based system dynamics modeling to understand the complex systems that influence health in cities: the SALURBAL study

We discuss the design, implementation, and results of a collaborative process designed to elucidate the complex systems that drive food behaviors, transport, and health in Latin American cities and to build capacity for systems thinking and community-based system dynamics (CBSD) methods among diverse research team members and stakeholders. During three CBSD workshops, 62 stakeholders from 10 Latin American countries identified 98 variables and a series of feedback loops that shape food behaviors, transportation and health, along with 52 policy levers. Our findings suggest that CBSD can engage local stakeholders, help them view problems through the lens of complex systems and use their insights to prioritize research efforts and identify novel solutions that consider mechanisms of complexity.
Highlights • CBSD methods can promote systems thinking and help identify policy approaches. • Stakeholders identified 98 variables driving food behaviors and transport in cities. • Balancing and reinforcing feedbacks drive change in food behavior and transport. • Feedback loops can also explain policy responses and lack of policy responses. • Stakeholders identified 52 policies that leverage variables and feedbacks.