Problem and solution trees: a practical approach for identifying potential interventions to improve population nutrition

Wendy Snowdon1,*, Jimaima Schultz2 and Boyd Swinburn1
+ Author Affiliations

1Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria 3125, Australia
2Fiji School of Medicine, Suva, Fiji
*Corresponding author. E-mail: wds@deakin.edu.au

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SUMMARY

Population nutrition problems have a diversity of contributory factors and, ideally, multi-sectoral solutions should be developed by the relevant stakeholders, based on a common understanding of these factors. The problem and solution tree approach is a participatory process of working through the layers of determinants and then developing potential interventions for a specific issue, using the available data and expertise. We tailored this approach for non-communicable disease-related nutrition problems in Pacific Islands and applied it in several countries. The process led to the identification of a considerable range of determinants of unhealthy diets and potential interventions to improve the situation. This practical approach also offered the additional benefit of developing stakeholder awareness in the issues. Problem trees are a relatively simple tool to implement, easy to adapt to differing needs, can generate a wealth of information and can be more widely used.

Key words
interventions diet problem trees participatory

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