Social network analysis of stakeholder networks from two community-based obesity prevention interventions

Abstract

IntroductionStudies of community-based obesity prevention interventions have hypothesized that stakeholder networks are a critical element of effective implementation. This paper presents a quantitative analysis of the interpersonal network structures within a sub-sample of stakeholders from two past successful childhood obesity prevention interventions.MethodsParticipants were recruited from the stakeholder groups (steering committees) of two completed community-based intervention studies, Romp & Chomp (R&C), Australia (2004-2008) and Shape Up Somerville (SUS), USA (2003-2005). Both studies demonstrated significant reductions of overweight and obesity among children. Members of the steering committees were asked to complete a retrospective social network questionnaire using a roster of other committee members and free recall. Each participant was asked to recall the people with whom they discussed issues related to childhood obesity throughout the intervention period, along with providing the closeness and level of influence of each relationship.ResultsNetworks were reported by 13 participants from the SUS steering committee and 8 participants from the R&C steering committee. On average, participants nominated 16 contacts with whom they discussed issues related to childhood obesity through the intervention, with approximately half of the relationships described as ‘close’ and 30% as ‘influential’. The ‘discussion’ and ‘close’ networks had high clustering and reciprocity, with ties directed to other steering committee members, and to individuals external to the committee. In contrast, influential ties were more prominently directed internal to the steering committee, with higher network centralization, lower reciprocity and lower clustering.Discussion and conclusionSocial network analysis provides a method to evaluate the ties within steering committees of community-based obesity prevention interventions. In this study, the network characteristics between a sub-set of stakeholders appeared to be supportive of diffused communication. Future work should prospectively examine stakeholder network structures in a heterogeneous sample of community-based interventions to identify elements most strongly associated with intervention effectiveness.

Development and testing of a novel survey to assess Stakeholder-driven Community Diffusion of childhood obesity prevention efforts

“…In Stakeholder-driven Community Diffusion, social networks represent pathways for knowledge and engagement diffusion. The survey was designed to allow respondents to name up to 20 people with whom they had “discussed issues related to childhood obesity” during an intervention [ 24 ]. Due to the retrospective nature of the initial survey and to diminish likelihood of inaccurate recall, we used two name generation methods (free recall and a roster of stakeholders who had already provided informed consent for the survey) in a three-stage procedure (free recall, roster identification, final free recall) [ 25 ].…”

“…This was followed by an optional, open-ended question that asked participants to “write any names, phrases, or keywords that describe what was going on in your life” during the intervention period. We informed participants that this response would not be retained and that the purpose was to help them provide more accurate recalled responses [ 24 ].…”

“…The R&C network had 54 nodes, 126 ties, a density of 0.04, and in-degree centralization of 0.07. Readers are referred to McGlashan et al for further description of SUS and R&C stakeholder networks [ 24 ].

Fig.

…”

Protocol for the measurement of changes in knowledge and engagement in the stepped wedge cluster randomised trial for childhood obesity prevention in Australia: (Reflexive Evidence and Systems interventions to Prevent Obesity and Non-communicable Disease (RESPOND))

“…The system-level nature of RESPOND provides opportunities not only for the application of existing learnings to apply a multi-strategic approach to community prevention [ 10 ] but also provides opportunity to test new and emerging system-level evaluation strategies such as social network analysis [ 38 ] to both supplement and better understand changes in health behaviours and obesity prevalence within such scaled-up interventions [ 19 ].…”

Comparing complex perspectives on obesity drivers: action‐driven communities and evidence‐oriented experts

“…A small participant group was recruited by local leaders in health promotion, based on relevance as stakeholders to the issue of childhood obesity in the community. These stakeholder networks have been identified as critical to the design and implementation of interventions in previous research . Participants included representatives from diverse sectors in the community such as local government, health services, community groups and schools.…”