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Whole Systems Approach for a healthy weight

The Whole Systems Approach (WSA) is designed to address the rising challenge of obesity and overweight in Wales. By recognising the complex factors that influence our health, WSA brings together health organisations, local councils, schools, businesses, and other key stakeholders to create lasting change in our communities. Through collaborative efforts, WSA aims to make it easier for people to access nutritious food, be active, and lead healthier lives, building a foundation for a healthier future across Wales. 

Table of contents:

Watch the video below to learn more about the Whole Systems Approach in Wales: 

Obesity and healthy weight in Wales

Obesity and overweight are significant health challenges in Wales. Currently, 61% of adults are living with overweight, and 24% are living with obesity. The situation is similar for children—Wales has the highest rate in the UK, with around 25% of children experiencing overweight or obesity by the time they start school. Obesity is hard to reverse even in childhood, and our likelihood of experiencing overweight or obesity increases as we get older. 

Why does a healthy weight matter?

Developing overweight and obesity increases our risk of several health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke, and it can increase the impact of other conditions such as arthritis. Tackling obesity early is essential for preventing these issues and supporting the overall health of our communities.

What are we doing in Wales?

In 2019 the Welsh Government launched their Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales strategy to prevent and reduce obesity.  This long term strategy has a core focus of leadership and enabling change through a systems based approach that will focus on local leadership, collaboration and involvement, and enabling local action.   

The Whole Systems Approach (WSA) puts the Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales strategy into action. It looks at the big picture, demonstrating how different parts of the system are connected and interconnected in a way that can make it challenging for people to stay healthy. 

The Whole Systems Approach (WSA) recognises the complexity of the systems that affect our health. It works with everyone in the system to create changes that meet stakeholders’ needs. WSA brings together various players—such as health organisations, local councils, businesses, and schools, to work together to change the environment around us. This collaboration embraces the complexity of these systems, creating stronger and more effective healthy solutions with a better chance of making a real difference. 

Through partnerships with Directors of Public Health and funding from the Welsh Government, our Whole Systems Approach to a healthy weight aims to address the underlying causes and influences on weight within our society. Everyone has a role to play in our shared mission to make it easier to access nutritious food and be active, creating a healthier, more vibrant future. 

What is a Whole Systems Approach?

A Whole Systems Approach (WSA) to Healthy Weight promotes healthy weight by addressing the multiple, interconnected factors influencing weight. Instead of focusing on individual behaviour, it looks at how policies, environments, and social factors all play a role in shaping health outcomes. 

As obesity is complex and has no single solution, it is important that we address this collectively and embed it across the system. A WSA presents an opportunity to work with communities and partners at a local level to tackle and prevent the causes of obesity, complementing work being undertaken nationally.   

The WSA aims to make it easier for everyone to live healthier lives by addressing the root causes of unhealthy weight. 

For more information on Whole Systems Approaches to Healthy Weight, you can explore resources from key organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and Public Health England (PHE).

Why is it important?

Weight is a complex issue for individuals and society because of various factors, such as genetics, social norms, environment, and access to resources. 

Whole Systems Approach for healthy weight is important for a healthier Wales because: 

  • It addresses root causes like access to healthy food, safe spaces for activity, and supportive environments for lasting change. 
  • It brings together organisations, businesses, schools, policymakers, and, importantly individuals, families. This unified effort leads to a more comprehensive and impactful strategy. 
  • It listens to local voices, ensuring solutions are relevant and effective for each of Wales’ diverse communities and their unique needs. 
  •  It aims to create structures and policies that actively support people across Wales to live healthier lives.  
  • It uses information and feedback to continuously refine strategies and ensure organisational level actions are effective.  

How does it work?

The Whole Systems Approach Wales follows a structured 9-step process as the image below shows. Click on the links below to find out more through our interactive resources: 

This 9-step process enables a comprehensive and coordinated effort to address the complex, multifaceted drivers of overweight and obesity in Wales, ensuring that actions taken are impactful and sustainable over the long term.