A scoping review of simulation modeling in built environment and physical activity research: Current status, gaps, and future directions for improving translation

Frerichs, Leah; Smith, Natalie; Lich, Kristen Hassmiller; BenDor, Todd K.; Evenson, Kelly R.

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.04.001

Cited by 12 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…As with any review, we may have missed relevant articles in our search. However, we built a comprehensive and systematic search along with a trained information specialist, and used terms similar to previously published reviews of simulation modeling [ 130 ] and SSB warning labels [ 11 ]. Our inclusion/exclusion criteria enabled us to include a range of studies, yielding a comprehensive commentary on the state of the science and allowing us to identify important considerations for future SSB policy simulation modeling.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulation models of sugary drink policies: A scoping review

Smith

Grummon

et al. 2022

PLoS ONE

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Introduction Simulation modeling methods are an increasingly common tool for projecting the potential health effects of policies to decrease sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake. However, it remains unknown which SSB policies are understudied and how simulation modeling methods could be improved. To inform next steps, we conducted a scoping review to characterize the (1) policies considered and (2) major characteristics of SSB simulation models. Methods We systematically searched 7 electronic databases in 2020, updated in 2021. Two investigators independently screened articles to identify peer-reviewed research using simulation modeling to project the impact of SSB policies on health outcomes. One investigator extracted information about policies considered and key characteristics of models from the full text of included articles. Data were analyzed in 2021–22. Results Sixty-one articles were included. Of these, 50 simulated at least one tax policy, most often an ad valorem tax (e.g., 20% tax, n = 25) or volumetric tax (e.g., 1 cent-per-fluid-ounce tax, n = 23). Non-tax policies examined included bans on SSB purchases (n = 5), mandatory reformulation (n = 3), warning labels (n = 2), and portion size policies (n = 2). Policies were typically modeled in populations accounting for age and gender or sex attributes. Most studies focused on weight-related outcomes (n = 54), used cohort, lifetable, or microsimulation modeling methods (n = 34), conducted sensitivity or uncertainty analyses (n = 56), and included supplementary materials (n = 54). Few studies included stakeholders at any point in their process (n = 9) or provided replication code/data (n = 8). Discussion Most simulation modeling of SSB policies has focused on tax policies and has been limited in its exploration of heterogenous impacts across population groups. Future research would benefit from refined policy and implementation scenario specifications, thorough assessments of the equity impacts of policies using established methods, and standardized reporting to improve transparency and consistency.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulation models of sugary drink policies: A scoping review

Smith

Grummon

et al. 2022

PLoS ONE

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“…Large scale ABMs have been developed using census data and/or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to represent geographical areas, mainly for infectious disease modeling (Duan et al, 2015), to enable the assessment of the impact of interventions changing aspects of the physical environment. Frerichs et al (2019) undertook a scoping review of simulation modeling of the built environment and physical activity, and found that of 16 studies, only 7 were real-world applications (5 US, 1 France, 1 Colombia). Whilst the incorporation of the physical environment within ABMs of public health interventions has received relatively little attention, this is not due to data limitations.…”

Section: The Physical Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

The long‐term effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of public health interventions; how can we model behavior? A review

Squires,

Kelly,

Gilbert

et al. 2023

Health Economics

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The effectiveness and cost of a public health intervention is dependent on complex human behaviors, yet health economic models typically make simplified assumptions about behavior, based on little theory or evidence. This paper reviews existing methods across disciplines for incorporating behavior within simulation models, to explore what methods could be used within health economic models and to highlight areas for further research. This may lead to better‐informed model predictions. The most promising methods identified which could be used to improve modeling of the causal pathways of behavior‐change interventions include econometric analyses, structural equation models, data mining and agent‐based modeling; the latter of which has the advantage of being able to incorporate the non‐linear, dynamic influences on behavior, including social and spatial networks. Twenty‐two studies were identified which quantify behavioral theories within simulation models. These studies highlight the importance of combining individual decision making and interactions with the environment and demonstrate the importance of social norms in determining behavior. However, there are many theoretical and practical limitations of quantifying behavioral theory. Further research is needed about the use of agent‐based models for health economic modeling, and the potential use of behavior maintenance theories and data mining.

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“…Most of the included literature syntheses for the Theorizing category reviewed applications of system dynamics modelling (SDM) or agent-based modelling (ABM) in public health, chronic disease and obesity [48][49][50][51][52]. Two studies were focused on PA in terms of assessing the use of simulation modelling to inform decision-making about built environment influences on PA [53], and examining the use of systems-based simulation studies to evaluate the health-related consequences of active transport [54].…”

Section: Theorizingmentioning

confidence: 99%

A scoping review of systems approaches for increasing physical activity in populations

Nau

Bauman

Smith

et al. 2022

Health Res Policy Sys

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Introduction The past decade has increasingly seen systems approaches as a featured theme in public health studies and policy documents. This trend is evident in the area of physical activity, which is a significant global health risk factor that is addressed in WHO’s Global Action Plan on Physical Activity. We undertook a comprehensive scoping review to characterize the application of systems approaches to physical activity, to develop a typology of the objectives, themes and methods of research papers that purported to apply systems thinking to this issue. Methods We searched electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and PsycINFO) for studies published during the period 2010–2021 that explicitly applied systems approaches or methods to investigate and/or address population physical activity. A framework using systems-based methodological approaches was adapted to classify physical activity studies according to their predominant approach, covering basic descriptive, complex analytical and advanced forms of practice. We selected case studies from retained studies to depict the current “state of the art”. Results We included 155 articles in our narrative account. Literature reporting the application of systems approaches to physical activity is skewed towards basic methods and frameworks, with most attention devoted to conceptual framing and predictive modelling. There are few well-described examples of physical activity interventions which have been planned, implemented and evaluated using a systems perspective. There is some evidence of “retrofitted” complex system framing to describe programmes and interventions which were not designed as such. Discussion We propose a classification of systems-based approaches to physical activity promotion together with an explanation of the strategies encompassed. The classification is designed to stimulate debate amongst policy-makers, practitioners and researchers to inform the further implementation and evaluation of systems approaches to physical activity. Conclusion The use of systems approaches within the field of physical activity is at an early stage of development, with a preponderance of descriptive approaches and a dearth of more complex analyses. We need to see movement towards a more sophisticated research agenda spanning the development, implementation and evaluation of systems-level interventions.

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A scoping review of simulation modeling in built environment and physical activity research: Current status, gaps, and future directions for improving translation

Cited by 12 publications

References 62 publications

Simulation models of sugary drink policies: A scoping review

Simulation models of sugary drink policies: A scoping review

The long‐term effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of public health interventions; how can we model behavior? A review

A scoping review of systems approaches for increasing physical activity in populations

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