IMPROVE EQUITY (IM-EQ) will develop an innovative strategy to reduce health inequity in obesity prevention. Insight will be gained into: (1) the social and environmental contextual changes needed for citizens living in deprived neighborhoods to maintain healthy and active lifestyles, and (2) structural multilevel obesity prevention policies that support health equity. Citizens and other stakeholders are co-researchers in a top-tier European research consortium. Together they will realize five objectives: (1) engagement of citizens in the policy planning decision making process, including those of low socioeconomic position (SEP); (2) identification of the complex interplay of determinants within the obesity system; (3) design of structural multilevel policies to promote obesity prevention actions towards health equity; (4) evaluation of the adoption and implementation of these policy actions; and (5) dissemination of project findings to stakeholders.

IM-EQ takes a multidisciplinary approach and uses innovative stakeholder participation and decision making methods. Specifically, system dynamics modelling and digital twin technology will be used to support local stakeholders in turning policy action perspectives into structural multilevel place-based policies. Three outcomes are envisioned: (1) a complex systems model of obesity drivers and policy solutions for people in deprived areas with low SEP, (2) decision making tools that support the planning of acceptable place-based obesity prevention policies, and (3) insight into implementation factors for place-based policy recommendations. As such, IM-EQ addresses the ERA4Health Health Equity program call priorities by: (1) mapping the current situation of vulnerable groups with respect to food and built environment for physical activity and diet, (2) planning policy actions that prevent obesity health inequity, and (3) increasing the potential of obesity prevention policies to be successfully put into action.