Understanding the dynamics of obesity prevention policy decision-making using a systems perspective: A case study of Healthy Together Victoria
Fig 2
Causal loop diagram of the Healthy Together Victoria policy process.
R loops (e.g., R1, R2 etc.) represent ‘reinforcing loops’ that magnify the effect of actors within the loop, including either positive or negative effects. B loops (e.g., B1, B2 etc.) represent ‘balancing loops’, in which feedback acts to stabilise the effect on the system. R loops and B loops were assigned sequential numbering as they were identified. A positive polarity (represented as ‘+’) indicates that as a cause increases, the effect increases, and as cause decreases, the effect decreases. A negative polarity (‘-’) indicates an inverse relationship between the two variables (i.e., as cause increases, the effect decreases). A dash sign (//) indicates some delay in effect, relative to the time scale of the remainder of the diagram. Solid lines indicate that data indicated an association between factors, with triangulation across both data sources and methods. Dashed lines indicate where there was some data to demonstrate an association between factors, however triangulation across data sources or methods could not be achieved. R1 = Policy actor capability to align policy interventions to decision-maker beliefs; R2 = Policy actor capability to align policy interventions to other government objectives; R3 = Stakeholder consultation as part of policy development; R4 = Policy viability; R5 = Evidence of policy impact; R6 = Evidence of implementation feasibility; R7 = ‘Softening up’ of key stakeholders. B1 = Organisational culture of risk aversion; B2 = Time need for effective consultation; B3 = Pressure from competing policy issues; B4 = Involvement of a diverse range of stakeholders; B5 = Time required to conduct a whole-of-government approach.