Background
It is widely accepted that the antecedents to mental illness are varied and complex, and early life is critical for intervention and prevention. Evidence points to lifestyle behavioural risk factors, in particularly diet and physical activity, as targets for prevention of depression and anxiety among young people. Opportunity exists to leverage upon existing obesity prevention interventions, which adopt a systems perspective to account for complexity in diet and physical activity behaviours, to promote positive mental health and well-being.
Methods
A series of obesity prevention trials are currently underway throughout Victoria, to build capacity and develop community-led interventions to promote healthy eating and physical activity. Systems science is applied through the development of causal loop diagrams to identify the interconnections between diet, physical activity and associated barriers and enablers to young people’s health.
Results
The initial pilot study (2012-2014) found a significant decrease in depressive symptomatology (26% to 17%) over two years in an intervention community that incorporated mental health objectives, alongside diet and physical activity-related goals. Baseline findings from Victorian communities indicated that emotional, school, social and physical functioning are significantly associated to obesogenic risk behaviours among primary school students, and sex-specific associations exist.
Discussion
A systems approach which assumes complexity in underlying causes holds great promise for prevention of mental disorders. This research program will identify the potential for systems-based obesity prevention interventions for the dual benefits of mental disorder prevention. Pilot findings are promising, however further research is needed including the measurement of system changes, the ways in which mental health specific objectives are included, and defining mechanistic pathways. Incorporating mental health as a specific objective within interventions aiming to facilitate nutrition and physical activity among young people is warranted.