SYSTEMS MODEL:
SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF LOCAL OBESITY DYNAMICS

Overview: As one of the six teams participating in the System Dynamics Modeling project we are developing a community-based system dynamics model of childhood obesity. Our goal is to identify and understand social determinants to childhood obesity that are specific to the West End neighborhood of St. Louis, MO. The team will calibrate the model and systematically compare it with five other team’s childhood obesity models.

Principles: These tasks will be guided by the following principles:

• To be community-based by gathering data from community members.
• To be evidence-based using an empirically-developed computer simulation model.
• To be dissemination-focused understanding that this process is a key component for stimulating discussion in the community.

Partners: Social Systems Design Lab at Washington University in St. Louis, West End Full Gospel Baptist Church, National Institutes of Health

Purpose: Transtria will engage and train partners to promote community action around childhood obesity

• To identify and understand social determinants of childhood obesity.
• To analyze the effects of potential policies and environmental changes to address childhood obesity.
• To encourage community-driven change around effective strategies.

Partners: Social Systems Design Lab at Washington University in St. Louis, West End Full Gospel Baptist Church, National Institutes of Health

Our Role:

• Conduct audits and direct observation of the community environment.
• Train community members to conduct audits and direct observation.
• Provide scientific leadership on community-engaged participatory research, social determinants, and healthy eating and active living interventions.