Creation of a local health network to prevent childhood obesity: the participatory process with the community in Erandio (Bizkaia, Basque Country)

e202609063

Abstract

BACKGROUND // The aim of this intervention was the implementation of a community based participatory process inspired by the best practice Grünau moves from the Health4EUKids project, the creation of a local health network and the development of an action plan to address the prevention of childhood obesity through environmental transformation. This approach is particularly relevant in Erandio (Basque Country), where high socioeconomic deprivation is accompanied by a prevalence of childhood obesity of 0.86% at age four, rising to 7.26% at age ten, reinforcing the need for preventive interventions targeting children aged six to twelve years.

METHODS // In the municipality of Erandio, a community engagement initiative was implemented to improve the health and well-being of the entire child population, aged six to twelve years, through changes in their environment. The intervention, carried out between December 2023 and November 2025, was based on a collaborative methodology that made it possible to create a local health network with more than forty community stakeholders, including representatives of groups in situations of vulnerability. This methodology was applied in several phases from getting to know each-other, community diagnosis, to the development of the Action Plan which remains to be executed. For the community diagnosis, a mixed-methods approach was used, gathering health indicators and structured questionnaires for descriptive statistical analysis, and semi-structured interviews and focus groups, analysing on diet, mobility, social cohesion, physical activity, sedentary behaviour and emotional well-being data with thematic coding.

RESULTS // The process fostered collaborative work among community members, professionals, and local political stakeholders, translated into the Erandio mugitzen ari da! (Erandio is moving!) initiative which led to the identification of 401 ideas, grouped into seventy-nine refined actions, ten prioritised seven final actions. These actions, selected for their potential impact on the lifestyles of children and their environment, were related to three main areas: food and nutrition, physical activity, and emotional wellbeing. The project concluded with the development of the Action Plan and did not include its implementation.

CONCLUSIONS // The participatory and intersectoral approach is feasible and make it possible to create a local health network and to agree on seven priority actions adapted to the context. The evaluation of their implementation and their effects remain pending.