Stakeholder-engaged research: strategies for the prevention and control of overweight and obesity in Kenya

Abstract

Background This study was done as part of a larger study that aims to identify the most impactful and cost-effective strategies for the prevention and control of overweight and obesity in Kenya. Our objective was to involve stakeholders in the identification of the strategies that would be included in our larger study. The results from the stakeholder engagement are analyzed and reported in this paper. Design This was a qualitative study. A one-day stakeholder workshop that followed a deliberative dialogue process was conducted. Participants A sample of stakeholders who participate in the national level policymaking process for health in Kenya. Outcome measure Strategies for the prevention and control of overweight and obesity in Kenya. Results Out of the twenty-three stakeholders who confirmed attendance, fifteen participants attended the one-day workshop. The stakeholders identified a total of 24 strategies for the prevention and control of overweight and obesity in Kenya. From the ranking process carried out the top six strategies identified were: a research-based strategy for the identification of the nutritional value of indigenous foods, implementation of health promotion strategies that focus on the creation of healthy environments, physical activity behavior such as gym attendance, jogging, walking, and running at the individual level, implementation of school curricula on nutrition and health promotion, integration of physical education into the new Competency-Based Education policy, and policies that increase use of public transport. Conclusion The stakeholders identified and ranked strategies for the prevention and control of overweight and obesity in Kenya. This informs future overweight and obesity prevention research and policy in Kenya and similar settings.

The avoidable disease burden associated with overweight and obesity in Kenya: A modelling study

“…Research on the nutritional value of traditional diets in Kenya may be helpful in advocating for the retention of healthy traditional diets. 59 Research on how city and transport planning in Kenya can be used to create healthy neighbourhoods would guide formulation of policies that create a healthy environment for all. Since Kenya is still battling undernutrition in some populations, studies investigating how stunting impacts BMI levels in adulthood are key.…”

“…A description of the stakeholders and engagement process is given elsewhere. 59 , 60 We thank the external reviewers and the editorial team for their review and great input.…”

The health and economic impact and cost effectiveness of interventions for the prevention and control of overweight and obesity in Kenya: a stakeholder engaged modelling study

“…In this study, we applied the assessing cost-effectiveness (ACE) approach which has been developed as a priority setting tool that enables evidence-based decision making [ 27 , 28 ]. Stakeholder engagement was part of the due process and this has been reported elsewhere [ 26 ]. We used a lifetime horizon in our assessment and targeted the 2019 Kenya population modelled over their remaining lifetime.…”

“…Our selection of interventions for inclusion in this study was drawn from broad strategies identified in a stakeholder engagement process with policy makers in Kenya [ 26 ]. We asked the stakeholders to identify existing and new strategies they considered relevant and appropriate for the prevention and control of overweight and obesity in Kenya.…”

“…In this study, we assessed interventions for the prevention and control of overweight and obesity in Kenya to determine their potential health and economic impact and cost effectiveness. Intervention selection was informed by a stakeholder engagement process with policy makers in Kenya [ 26 ]. To our knowledge, no studies have assessed the potential economic and health impact and cost effectiveness of interventions that aim to prevent and control overweight and obesity in adults in Kenya.…”