TY - JOUR
T1 - Applications of Complex Systems Models to Improve Retail Food Environments for Population Health
T2 - A Scoping Review
AU - Winkler, Megan R.
AU - Mui, Yeeli
AU - Hunt, Shanda L.
AU - Laska, Melissa N.
AU - Gittelsohn, Joel
AU - Tracy, Melissa
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society for Nutrition.
PY - 2022/7/1
Y1 - 2022/7/1
N2 - Retail food environments (RFEs) are complex systems with important implications for population health. Studying the complexity within RFEs comes with challenges. Complex systems models are computational tools that can help. We performed a systematic scoping review of studies that used complex systems models to study RFEs for population health. We examined the purpose for using the model, RFE features represented, extent to which the complex systems approach was maximized, and quality and transparency of methods employed. The PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines were followed. Studies using agent-based modeling, system dynamics, discrete event simulations, networks, hybrid, or microsimulation models were identified from 7 multidisciplinary databases. Fifty-six studies met the inclusion criteria, including 23 microsimulation, 13 agent-based, 10 hybrid, 4 system dynamics, 4 network, and 2 discrete event simulation models. Most studies (n = 45) used models for experimental purposes and evaluated effects of simulated RFE policies and interventions. RFE characteristics simulated in models were diverse, and included the features (e.g., prices) customers encounter when shopping (n = 55), the settings (e.g., restaurants, supermarkets) where customers purchase food and beverages (n = 30), and the actors (e.g., store managers, suppliers) who make decisions that influence RFEs (n = 25). All models incorporated characteristics of complexity (e.g., feedbacks, conceptual representation of multiple levels), but these were captured to varying degrees across model types. The quality of methods was adequate overall; however, few studies engaged stakeholders (n = 10) or provided sufficient transparency to verify the model (n = 12). Complex systems models are increasingly utilized to study RFEs and their contributions to public health. Opportunities to advance the use of these approaches remain, and areas to improve future research are discussed. This comprehensive review provides the first marker of the utility of leveraging these approaches to address RFEs for population health.
AB - Retail food environments (RFEs) are complex systems with important implications for population health. Studying the complexity within RFEs comes with challenges. Complex systems models are computational tools that can help. We performed a systematic scoping review of studies that used complex systems models to study RFEs for population health. We examined the purpose for using the model, RFE features represented, extent to which the complex systems approach was maximized, and quality and transparency of methods employed. The PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines were followed. Studies using agent-based modeling, system dynamics, discrete event simulations, networks, hybrid, or microsimulation models were identified from 7 multidisciplinary databases. Fifty-six studies met the inclusion criteria, including 23 microsimulation, 13 agent-based, 10 hybrid, 4 system dynamics, 4 network, and 2 discrete event simulation models. Most studies (n = 45) used models for experimental purposes and evaluated effects of simulated RFE policies and interventions. RFE characteristics simulated in models were diverse, and included the features (e.g., prices) customers encounter when shopping (n = 55), the settings (e.g., restaurants, supermarkets) where customers purchase food and beverages (n = 30), and the actors (e.g., store managers, suppliers) who make decisions that influence RFEs (n = 25). All models incorporated characteristics of complexity (e.g., feedbacks, conceptual representation of multiple levels), but these were captured to varying degrees across model types. The quality of methods was adequate overall; however, few studies engaged stakeholders (n = 10) or provided sufficient transparency to verify the model (n = 12). Complex systems models are increasingly utilized to study RFEs and their contributions to public health. Opportunities to advance the use of these approaches remain, and areas to improve future research are discussed. This comprehensive review provides the first marker of the utility of leveraging these approaches to address RFEs for population health.
KW - agent-based modeling
KW - food environment
KW - healthy retail
KW - microsimulation
KW - networks
KW - nutrition interventions
KW - simulation
KW - system dynamics
KW - systematic review
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85135420674&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85135420674&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/advances/nmab138
DO - 10.1093/advances/nmab138
M3 - Review article
C2 - 34999752
AN - SCOPUS:85135420674
SN - 2161-8313
VL - 13
SP - 1028
EP - 1043
JO - Advances in Nutrition
JF - Advances in Nutrition
IS - 4
ER -