Integrated Strategies for Obesity Prevention

Mar 20, 2025

Sustainable Prevention of Obesity through Integrated Strategies: SPOTLIGHT Project

Overview

Title

  • Sustainable Prevention of Obesity through Integrated Strategies: The SPOTLIGHT Project's Conceptual Framework and Design

Authors

  • Johannes Brug, Sandra Bot, Pedro J Teixeira, Harry Rutter, Euan Woodward, Oddrun Samdal, Lynn Stockley, Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij, Patricia van Assema, Aileen Robertson, Tim Lobstein, Jean-Michel Oppert, Rza dny, and Giel Nijpels

Published

  • Date: 17 September 2012
  • Journal: BMC Public Health

Access

  • Open Access

Abstract

Background

  • High prevalence of overweight/obesity in Europe.
  • Major cause of chronic diseases with unequal socio-economic distribution.
  • Obesity is influenced by modifiable behaviors: inactivity, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet.
  • Need for system-based interventions beyond individual focus.
  • SPOTLIGHT aims to combine knowledge of obesity determinants and identify effective multi-level interventions.

Methods/Design

  • Systematic reviews focusing on predictors of success in obesity interventions and environmental determinants.
  • Development of a web-atlas for multi-level interventions.
  • Assessment of neighbourhood obesogenicity using remote imaging linked to geographic information systems.

Discussion

  • SPOTLIGHT aims to inform policy makers, professionals, and other stakeholders about effective strategies for obesity prevention.

Detailed Content

Background

  • Overweight and obesity rates have surged in Europe, affecting over 50% of adults.
  • Disparities exist within socio-economic groups, with lower socio-economic groups more affected.
  • Determinants include lifestyle choices and environmental factors.
  • Recognizes need for multi-level interventions addressing both individual and environment factors.

Objectives of SPOTLIGHT

  1. Identify entry points for intervention.
  2. Assess interventions using RE-AIM framework.
  3. Identify success/failure factors in interventions.
  4. Provide a model for effective interventions and disseminate findings.

Methods/Design

  • Literature Review: Identify predictors of success and environmental determinants.
  • Develop Instruments: For assessing obesogenic environments using remote imaging.
  • Surveys: Conduct surveys in selected European countries to gather data on environmental obesogenicity.
  • Web-Atlas: Creation and distribution of an interactive atlas of interventions.

Discussion

  • SPOTLIGHT will provide insights into multi-level interventions and their implementation.
  • Emphasizes the importance of addressing environmental and individual-level determinants.
  • Aims to enhance real-world application of obesity prevention strategies.

Authors Information

  • Project conducted by SPOTLIGHT consortium across various European institutions.

Conclusion

  • SPOTLIGHT is a comprehensive project which seeks to tackle obesity through integrated, multi-level strategies.
  • Focus on combining environmental and individual intervention points for greater impact.

References

  • Contains various scholarly references supporting the SPOTLIGHT project's framework and designs.

Additional Information

  • Funded by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme.
  • Authors declare no competing interests.

This summary outlines the SPOTLIGHT project, its objectives, methods, and the importance of integrated strategies in preventing obesity across Europe.