Developing a Socioculturally Nuanced Systems Model of Childhood Obesity in Manhattan’s Chinese American Community via Group Model Building
The purpose of this study was to develop a qualitative and socioculturally tailored systems model of childhood obesity in the Chinese American community in Manhattan’s Chinatown. We utilized group model building (GMB) methodology as a form of participatory systems modeling. The study was conducted i...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2020-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Obesity |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/4819143 |
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| author | Ewelina Swierad Terry T.-K. Huang Ellis Ballard Karen Flórez Sheng Li |
| author_facet | Ewelina Swierad Terry T.-K. Huang Ellis Ballard Karen Flórez Sheng Li |
| author_sort | Ewelina Swierad |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The purpose of this study was to develop a qualitative and socioculturally tailored systems model of childhood obesity in the Chinese American community in Manhattan’s Chinatown. We utilized group model building (GMB) methodology as a form of participatory systems modeling. The study was conducted in Manhattan’s Chinatown community. We recruited 16 Chinese American adults from the community. GMB workshops engendered a causal loop diagram (CLD), the visualization of a complex systems model illustrating the structures, feedbacks, and interdependencies among socioculturally specific pathways underlying childhood obesity, in Manhattan’s Chinatown community. The analysis of CLD revealed that participants considered the following factors to influence childhood obesity: (1) traditional social norms affecting body image, how children are raised, parental pressure to study, and trust in health of traditional foods; (2) grandparents’ responsibility for children; (3) limited time availability of parents at home; and (4) a significant amount of children’s time spent indoors. GMB represents a novel method to understand the complexity of childhood obesity in culturally specific populations and contexts. The study identified sociocultural subsystems that may underlie the development and perpetuation of childhood obesity among Chinese American children. Insights from the study can be useful in the design of future empirical studies and interventions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c8afeb0266914210afae3e2f17831ec2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2090-0708 2090-0716 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2020-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Obesity |
| spelling | doaj-art-c8afeb0266914210afae3e2f17831ec22025-08-20T03:24:11ZengWileyJournal of Obesity2090-07082090-07162020-01-01202010.1155/2020/48191434819143Developing a Socioculturally Nuanced Systems Model of Childhood Obesity in Manhattan’s Chinese American Community via Group Model BuildingEwelina Swierad0Terry T.-K. Huang1Ellis Ballard2Karen Flórez3Sheng Li4Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USACenter for Systems and Community Design, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, NY, USASocial System Design Lab, Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, WA, USACenter for Systems and Community Design, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, NY, USACenter for Systems and Community Design, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, NY, USAThe purpose of this study was to develop a qualitative and socioculturally tailored systems model of childhood obesity in the Chinese American community in Manhattan’s Chinatown. We utilized group model building (GMB) methodology as a form of participatory systems modeling. The study was conducted in Manhattan’s Chinatown community. We recruited 16 Chinese American adults from the community. GMB workshops engendered a causal loop diagram (CLD), the visualization of a complex systems model illustrating the structures, feedbacks, and interdependencies among socioculturally specific pathways underlying childhood obesity, in Manhattan’s Chinatown community. The analysis of CLD revealed that participants considered the following factors to influence childhood obesity: (1) traditional social norms affecting body image, how children are raised, parental pressure to study, and trust in health of traditional foods; (2) grandparents’ responsibility for children; (3) limited time availability of parents at home; and (4) a significant amount of children’s time spent indoors. GMB represents a novel method to understand the complexity of childhood obesity in culturally specific populations and contexts. The study identified sociocultural subsystems that may underlie the development and perpetuation of childhood obesity among Chinese American children. Insights from the study can be useful in the design of future empirical studies and interventions.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/4819143 |
| spellingShingle | Ewelina Swierad Terry T.-K. Huang Ellis Ballard Karen Flórez Sheng Li Developing a Socioculturally Nuanced Systems Model of Childhood Obesity in Manhattan’s Chinese American Community via Group Model Building Journal of Obesity |
| title | Developing a Socioculturally Nuanced Systems Model of Childhood Obesity in Manhattan’s Chinese American Community via Group Model Building |
| title_full | Developing a Socioculturally Nuanced Systems Model of Childhood Obesity in Manhattan’s Chinese American Community via Group Model Building |
| title_fullStr | Developing a Socioculturally Nuanced Systems Model of Childhood Obesity in Manhattan’s Chinese American Community via Group Model Building |
| title_full_unstemmed | Developing a Socioculturally Nuanced Systems Model of Childhood Obesity in Manhattan’s Chinese American Community via Group Model Building |
| title_short | Developing a Socioculturally Nuanced Systems Model of Childhood Obesity in Manhattan’s Chinese American Community via Group Model Building |
| title_sort | developing a socioculturally nuanced systems model of childhood obesity in manhattan s chinese american community via group model building |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/4819143 |
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