Free Seminar: Systems approaches for physical activity and obesity: Tackling wicked public health problems

The complex nature of 'wicked’ health problems is an ongoing problem for public health research and policy. Challenges such as obesity and the pandemic of physical inactivity involve multiple factors operating within systems. Traditional approaches that focus on changing individuals are not the most appropriate for tackling these challenges at the population level. We need new methods that look at public health problems as part of a complex system.

The application of complex systems thinking to healthy lifestyles requires mandatory multi-sectoral approaches to address obesity and physical inactivity. In this seminar, Dr Harry Rutter from the UK will present his extensive experience of population obesity surveillance, of developing health economic models to map the benefits of walking and cycling, and, most recently, his work with WHO on applying systems thinking to mapping physical activity at the macro and community levels. He will illustrate the gaps in systems that need to change in order to make a difference.