Addressing obesity in Canada : Report from obesity policy research think tank, October 6th & 7th, 2005

The full spectrum of policy-relevant research responds to various filters that are used in making decisions about policy; e.g., the magnitude of the problem, the effectiveness of the solution, and the cost and feasibility of implementation. [...] Two key themes that emerged throughout the discussions in both policy areas (economics and the built environment) included the centrality of a focus on children, and the importance of intervention research. [...] With respect to the Built Environment, research priorities included clarification of the links between the built environment and behaviours, social determinants, and health outcomes; and increased understanding of barriers and enablers in the built environment and their impact on health outcomes related to obesity. [...] Economic policy-oriented research priorities included increasing the knowledge base related to creating children-, youth-, and adolescent-friendly environments that will facilitate healthy living; exploring the implications of economic incentives and disincentives on obesity and health outcomes; and understanding the role of the agri-food sector in contributing to, and addressing obesity in Canada [...] He acknowledged the support of the Think Tank funding partners (the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canadian Institute for Health Information’s Canadian Population Health Initiative and the Public Health Agency of Canada) and reinforced the sponsoring organizations’ interest in improving the understanding of what we don’t know and stimulating action on the things we do know.