Abstract

Abstract: Systemic change for healthy diets: a participatory study on food-related socioeconomic inequality in lower-income neighborhoods across Europe Abstract: Socioeconomic inequalities in diets exist in many European countries. The less healthful diets of people living in socioeconomic insecurity can be seen as an emergent property of a complex system of interacting elements operating at different levels. This study applied a system-based participatory approach to provide insights into systemic drivers of diets of people living in socioeconomic insecurity. The study was conducted in lower-income neighborhoods in the Netherlands, Ireland, Poland, and Belgium. Three group model building sessions were conducted in each country with diverse stakeholders: citizens with experience living on a limited budget and professionals from the health and social sectors (min. n=20 per country). Participants developed conceptual systems maps linking mechanisms that influence dietary behaviors, and identified actions for systemic change. Cross-country comparisons will highlight differences and commonalities in key dynamics shaping the diets of people experiencing socioeconomic insecurity. These insights are needed to develop effective and equitable (policy) interventions to facilitate healthy diets for communities facing socioeconomic insecurity.