Research priority setting in obesity: a systematic review

Abstract

Aim Obesity research priority setting, if conducted to a high standard, can help promote policy-relevant and efficient research. Therefore, there is a need to identify existing research priority setting studies conducted in the topic area of obesity and to determine the extent to which they followed good practice principles for research priority setting. Method Studies examining research priority setting in obesity were identified through searching the MEDLINE, PBSC, CINAHL, PsycINFO databases and the grey literature. The nine common themes of good practice in research priority setting were used as a methodological framework to evaluate the processes of the included studies. These were context, use of a comprehensive approach, inclusiveness, information gathering, planning for implementation, criteria, methods for deciding on priorities, evaluation and transparency. Results Thirteen articles reporting research prioritisation exercises conducted in different areas of obesity research were included. All studies reported engaging with various stakeholders such as policy makers, researchers and healthcare professionals. Public involvement was included in six studies. Methods of research prioritisation commonly included both Delphi and nominal group techniques and surveys. None of the 13 studies fulfilled all nine of the good practice criteria for research priority setting, with the most common limitations including not using a comprehensive approach and lack of inclusivity and evaluating on their processes. Conclusion There is a need for research priority setting studies in obesity to involve the public and to evaluate their exercises to ensure they are of high quality.

Developing an obesity research agenda with British Pakistani women living in deprived areas with involvement from multisectoral stakeholders: Research priority setting with a seldom heard group

“…27 However, holding consensus groups with underrepresented Black and minority ethnic individuals and professionals together may advantage professionals, leading to the disengagement of disadvantaged groups that are underrepresented in research priority setting. 28,29 Although research prioritization exercises in obesity do exist, 30 no research could be found identifying the obesity research priorities of PW or South Asian women more generally. A research priority exercise involving South Asian children, young people and their families sought to prioritize health topics requiring more research according to this population.…”

“…Although research prioritization exercises in obesity do exist, 30 no research could be found identifying the obesity research priorities of PW or South Asian women more generally. A research priority exercise involving South Asian children, young people and their families sought to prioritize health topics requiring more research according to this population 31 .…”

Exploring the obesity concerns of British Pakistani women living in deprived inner‐city areas: A qualitative study

“…As a result, research questions that are pertinent to people may be overlooked or undervalued, 28 further marginalizing vulnerable groups. South Asian populations are underrepresented in health research, 29 and there is no evidence of research prioritization exercises conducted with any South Asian groups in the area of obesity 30 . Therefore, the research question that this study aimed to address was follows: What are the obesity concerns of Pakistani women living in deprived inner‐city areas of Bradford?…”

Multidimensional pain profiling in people living with obesity and attending weight management services: a protocol for a longitudinal cohort study

“…In doing so, our study may highlight potential unmet pain-related healthcare needs and help inform the development and integration of targeted pain management strategies within WMSs with the aim of improving pain outcomes as well as weight loss, health status and quality of life. Pain management appears not to be a priority within obesity research at present 113 even though people living with obesity have reported that musculoskeletal pain limits physical activity and social participation. 114 …”