The complex interaction of causing and resulting factors of overweight/obesity
- 15.01.2013
- English Articles
- Eva Hummel
- Friederike Wittig
- Katja Schneider
- Nadine Gebhardt
- Ingrid Hoffmann
Peer-reviewed | Manuscript received: April 5, 2012 | Revision accepted: October 3, 2012
Increasing the understanding of the problem and deducing requirements for prevention strategies
Introduction
The prevalence of overweight/obesity has developed into a worldwide epidemic with severe consequences [1, 2], even though numerous prevention projects have been and are being implemented [e. g. 3, 4]. One reason for the mediocre success may be that prevention measures do not adequately consider the complexity of the problem [5].
Against this background, the present study depicts and investigates the complex phenomenon of overweight/obesity with the help of NutriMod, a nutrition-ecological modeling technique. A qualitative cause-effect model is used to visualize the interactions between the causing and resulting factors of overweight/obesity described in literature. Examples are presented to demonstrate additional insights into overweight/obesity and for the development of prevention measures which may be identified by the presentation and investigation of the complex phenomenon.
Summary
In order to demonstrate the complexity of overweight/obesity, a literature-based, qualitative cause-effect-model was developed applying nutrition-ecological modelling (NutriMod). By visualising many multicausal and multidimensional interrelated causes and effects of overweight/obesity, the model illustrates two factors directly causing overweight/obesity: energy balance and biological factors. All other factors influence overweight/obesity in particular via energy balance and thus indirectly via cause-effect chains. These cause-effect chains can join to feedback loops and thereby result in reinforcing vicious circles. The model increases the understanding of the complex interaction of overweight/obesity by gaining knowledge on cause-effect chains, feedback loops, multicausality and multidimensionality. Therefore, it serves as a good basis for the development of effective prevention measures.
Keywords: Nutrition ecology, nutrition-ecological modelling technique, NutriMod, complexity, prevention, overweight/obesity, cause-effect mode
