Beyond the “I” in the Obesity Epidemic: A Review of Social Relational and Network Interventions on Obesity

Background. Recent research has shown the importance of networks in the spread of obesity. Yet, the translation of research on social networks and obesity into health promotion practice has been slow. Objectives. To review the types of obesity interventions targeting social relational factors. Metho...

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Main Authors: Janette S. Leroux, Spencer Moore, Laurette Dubé
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2013-01-01
Series:Journal of Obesity
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/348249
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author Janette S. Leroux
Spencer Moore
Laurette Dubé
author_facet Janette S. Leroux
Spencer Moore
Laurette Dubé
author_sort Janette S. Leroux
collection DOAJ
description Background. Recent research has shown the importance of networks in the spread of obesity. Yet, the translation of research on social networks and obesity into health promotion practice has been slow. Objectives. To review the types of obesity interventions targeting social relational factors. Methods. Six databases were searched in January 2013. A Boolean search was employed with the following sets of terms: (1) social dimensions: social capital, cohesion, collective efficacy, support, social networks, or trust; (2) intervention type: intervention, experiment, program, trial, or policy; and (3) obesity in the title or abstract. Titles and abstracts were reviewed. Articles were included if they described an obesity intervention with the social relational component central. Articles were assessed on the social relational factor(s) addressed, social ecological level(s) targeted, the intervention’s theoretical approach, and the conceptual placement of the social relational component in the intervention. Results. Database searches and final article screening yielded 30 articles. Findings suggested that (1) social support was most often targeted; (2) few interventions were beyond the individual level; (3) most interventions were framed on behaviour change theories; and (4) the social relational component tended to be conceptually ancillary to the intervention. Conclusions. Theoretically and practically, social networks remain marginal to current interventions addressing obesity.
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spelling doaj-art-d5d54ec90f554263aedef7041f3e0e272025-02-03T07:24:19ZengWileyJournal of Obesity2090-07082090-07162013-01-01201310.1155/2013/348249348249Beyond the “I” in the Obesity Epidemic: A Review of Social Relational and Network Interventions on ObesityJanette S. Leroux0Spencer Moore1Laurette Dubé2School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen’s University, 28 Division Street Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, CanadaSchool of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen’s University, 28 Division Street Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, CanadaDesautels Faculty of Management, McGill University, 1001 rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montreal, QC, H3A 1G5, CanadaBackground. Recent research has shown the importance of networks in the spread of obesity. Yet, the translation of research on social networks and obesity into health promotion practice has been slow. Objectives. To review the types of obesity interventions targeting social relational factors. Methods. Six databases were searched in January 2013. A Boolean search was employed with the following sets of terms: (1) social dimensions: social capital, cohesion, collective efficacy, support, social networks, or trust; (2) intervention type: intervention, experiment, program, trial, or policy; and (3) obesity in the title or abstract. Titles and abstracts were reviewed. Articles were included if they described an obesity intervention with the social relational component central. Articles were assessed on the social relational factor(s) addressed, social ecological level(s) targeted, the intervention’s theoretical approach, and the conceptual placement of the social relational component in the intervention. Results. Database searches and final article screening yielded 30 articles. Findings suggested that (1) social support was most often targeted; (2) few interventions were beyond the individual level; (3) most interventions were framed on behaviour change theories; and (4) the social relational component tended to be conceptually ancillary to the intervention. Conclusions. Theoretically and practically, social networks remain marginal to current interventions addressing obesity.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/348249
spellingShingle Janette S. Leroux
Spencer Moore
Laurette Dubé
Beyond the “I” in the Obesity Epidemic: A Review of Social Relational and Network Interventions on Obesity
Journal of Obesity
title Beyond the “I” in the Obesity Epidemic: A Review of Social Relational and Network Interventions on Obesity
title_full Beyond the “I” in the Obesity Epidemic: A Review of Social Relational and Network Interventions on Obesity
title_fullStr Beyond the “I” in the Obesity Epidemic: A Review of Social Relational and Network Interventions on Obesity
title_full_unstemmed Beyond the “I” in the Obesity Epidemic: A Review of Social Relational and Network Interventions on Obesity
title_short Beyond the “I” in the Obesity Epidemic: A Review of Social Relational and Network Interventions on Obesity
title_sort beyond the i in the obesity epidemic a review of social relational and network interventions on obesity
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/348249
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