How can an agent-based model explore the impact of interventions on children's physical activity in an urban environment?

Almagor, Jonatan; Martin, Anne; McCrorie, Paul; Mitchell, Rich

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102688

Cited by 13 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…All the models that investigated the socioeconomic differences in physical activity simulated intervention scenarios. These scenarios included additional physical education in schools, the promotion of active travel, educational campaigns, increasing the availability and affordability of sports activities, improving neighbourhood safety, and increasing the expense associated with driving [ 26 , 27 , 28 ]. All the models focusing on physical activity used the level of income of the individual or household as the measure of the socioeconomic status and explored a range of physical activity-related outcomes including the minutes of physical activity per day [ 26 ], sports participation [ 27 ], and walking [ 28 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Agent-Based Modelling of Health Inequalities following the Complexity Turn in Public Health: A Systematic Review

Boyd

Wilson

Elsenbroich

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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There is an increasing focus on the role of complexity in public health and public policy fields which has brought about a methodological shift towards computational approaches. This includes agent-based modelling (ABM), a method used to simulate individuals, their behaviour and interactions with each other, and their social and physical environment. This paper aims to systematically review the use of ABM to simulate the generation or persistence of health inequalities. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (1 January 2013–15 November 2022) were searched, supplemented with manual reference list searching. Twenty studies were included; fourteen of them described models of health behaviours, most commonly relating to diet (n = 7). Six models explored health outcomes, e.g., morbidity, mortality, and depression. All of the included models involved heterogeneous agents and were dynamic, with agents making decisions, growing older, and/or becoming exposed to different health risks. Eighteen models represented physical space and in eleven models, agents interacted with other agents through social networks. ABM is increasingly contributing to our understanding of the socioeconomic inequalities in health. However, to date, the majority of these models focus on the differences in health behaviours. Future research should attempt to investigate the social and economic drivers of health inequalities using ABM.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Agent-Based Modelling of Health Inequalities following the Complexity Turn in Public Health: A Systematic Review

Boyd

Wilson

Elsenbroich

et al. 2022

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Section: Prediction (Simulation)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A selection of studies used ABM to explore the potential impact of interventions on PA in children [75,81,95,99]. These included interventions relating to a combination of outdoor play, school physical education and active travel [75]; using dynamic furniture in the school environment [81]; and the operation of after-school programmes [99]. Some studies had an equity focus, for example to explore the impact of intervention scenarios on income inequalities in sports participation [80]; and to simulate the effects of PA infrastructure on reducing racial disparities in BMI [88].…”

Section: Prediction (Simulation)mentioning

confidence: 99%

A scoping review of systems approaches for increasing physical activity in populations

Nau

Bauman

Smith

et al. 2022

Health Res Policy Sys

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Introduction The past decade has increasingly seen systems approaches as a featured theme in public health studies and policy documents. This trend is evident in the area of physical activity, which is a significant global health risk factor that is addressed in WHO’s Global Action Plan on Physical Activity. We undertook a comprehensive scoping review to characterize the application of systems approaches to physical activity, to develop a typology of the objectives, themes and methods of research papers that purported to apply systems thinking to this issue. Methods We searched electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and PsycINFO) for studies published during the period 2010–2021 that explicitly applied systems approaches or methods to investigate and/or address population physical activity. A framework using systems-based methodological approaches was adapted to classify physical activity studies according to their predominant approach, covering basic descriptive, complex analytical and advanced forms of practice. We selected case studies from retained studies to depict the current “state of the art”. Results We included 155 articles in our narrative account. Literature reporting the application of systems approaches to physical activity is skewed towards basic methods and frameworks, with most attention devoted to conceptual framing and predictive modelling. There are few well-described examples of physical activity interventions which have been planned, implemented and evaluated using a systems perspective. There is some evidence of “retrofitted” complex system framing to describe programmes and interventions which were not designed as such. Discussion We propose a classification of systems-based approaches to physical activity promotion together with an explanation of the strategies encompassed. The classification is designed to stimulate debate amongst policy-makers, practitioners and researchers to inform the further implementation and evaluation of systems approaches to physical activity. Conclusion The use of systems approaches within the field of physical activity is at an early stage of development, with a preponderance of descriptive approaches and a dearth of more complex analyses. We need to see movement towards a more sophisticated research agenda spanning the development, implementation and evaluation of systems-level interventions.

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“…Systems approaches are fundamental for understanding complexity of health behaviours [ 26 ], and a systems approach is recommended when studying behaviours such as youth physical activity [ 27 ]. System approaches conceptualise physical activity as a product of the dynamics at play within several domains of influence [ 17 , 20 ], and this approach can help elucidate why different outcomes exist when interventions are implemented in practice [ 28 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systems thinking approach to understanding youth active recreation

Koorts

Salmon

Swain

et al. 2022

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act

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Background Active recreation contributes to child and adolescent physical activity, however, factors affecting uptake are poorly understood at the systems level. The aims of this study were: (1) to use systems analysis methods to understand youth active recreation in Victoria, Australia, (ii) identify potential system leverage points to enhance active recreation, and (iii) explore stakeholder views of systems analysis methods for informing practice and policy decision-making. Methods Phase 1: Umbrella review of systematic reviews (2013–2018), synthesising evidence for correlates, determinants and intervention evidence for promoting active recreation. Phase 2: Development of three systems models (ActorMap and two ActivMaps), depicting active recreation actors/organisations, correlates, determinants and intervention evidence. Phase 3: Development of causal loop diagrams (CLDs) and identification of leverage points based on the Action Scales Model. Phase 4: Model feedback via stakeholder interviews (n = 23; 16 organisations). Results From the literature, 93 correlates and determinants, and 49 intervention strategies were associated with child and adolescent active recreation; the majority located at a social or individual level. Ten potential system leverage points were identified in the CLDs, which differed for pre-schoolers versus children and adolescents. Only time outdoors (an event leverage point) emerged for all age groups. Changes to the built and natural environment (i.e., land use planning, urban design) as a complete domain was a key structural leverage point for influencing active recreation in children and adolescents. Subject matter experts and stakeholder interviews identified 125 actors operating across seven hierarchical active recreation system levels in Victoria. Stakeholder interviews identified 12 areas for future consideration and recommendations for practice/policy influence. Conclusions Our findings underscore the need for dynamic models of system behaviour in active recreation, and to capture stakeholder influence as more than a transactional role in evidence generation and use. Effective responses to youth inactivity require a network of interventions that target specific leverage points across the system. Our models illustrate areas that may have the greatest system-level impact, such as changes to the built and natural environment, and they provide a tool for policy, appraisal, advocacy, and decision-making within and outside of government.

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How can an agent-based model explore the impact of interventions on children's physical activity in an urban environment?

Cited by 13 publications

References 71 publications

Agent-Based Modelling of Health Inequalities following the Complexity Turn in Public Health: A Systematic Review

Agent-Based Modelling of Health Inequalities following the Complexity Turn in Public Health: A Systematic Review

A scoping review of systems approaches for increasing physical activity in populations

A systems thinking approach to understanding youth active recreation

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