Table 3 Workshop activities and structure variations

Welcome and introduction

Presentation of an overview of the project and the objectives of the workshop. Brief introduction of the research team and participants using activities to create bonds within the group

X

X

X

X

X

Introduction to key concepts

Presentation of the concept of the DBM and the trends overtime of this problem in Peru. Brief introduction of outputs from formative work. Brief explanation of the system thinking iceberg as a tool to introduce community-based system dynamics approach to solve complex problems like DBM

X

X

X

X

X

Variable elicitation

Variable elicitation

A facilitator asked prompt questions to participants to elicit food system drivers, which contribute to overweight and/or stunting in Peru, based on their perspectives and experience. Participants shared with the group the factors they considered the most important

X

Variable elicitation in lists

A facilitator asked prompt questions to participants to elicit food system drivers, which contribute to, first, overweight and, second, stunting in Peru, based on their perspectives and experience. Participants shared with the group the factors they considered most important, organized in two separate lists for overweight drivers and stunting drivers

X

Venn-diagram elicitation

A facilitator asked prompt questions to participants to elicit food system drivers, which contribute to, first, overweight and, second, stunting in Peru, based on their perspectives and experience. Participants shared with the group the factors they considered most important and were prompted to situate them within a Venn diagram that represented stunting, overweight, and their intersection, based on their understanding of the variable as a driver of overweight, stunting, or both. This script can be used to elicit shared variables for dual problems, like DBM

X

Graphs over time

Participants were prompted to draw a graph that described the behavior over time of food system drivers, which contribute to overweight and/or stunting in Peru, based on their perspectives and experience. First, the facilitator used an example of a variable to create a graph that helped to understand its behavior over a period of time, in a visual way. Participants were then prompted to draw their own graphs over time, choosing the variables they considered the most important, with at least one related to overweight and one to stunting. They, then, shared a description of their graph, encouraged to explain how changes in the variable were linked to changes in overweight and/or stunting

X

X

X

Dots

Participants were prompted to vote which food system drivers where most important in contributing to overweight and/or stunting in Peru, by adding stickers next to elicited variables or graphs over time

X

X

X

Structure elicitation

Connection circles

A facilitator provided an example of the exercise using 2 previously elicited variables. Participants were then asked to choose a few of the previously elicited variables, write them around the perimeter of a circle, and draw how they believe they are interconnected by adding arrows with polarities and additional variables where necessary. Participants worked in small groups and shared their connection circles with the wider group at the end

X

X

Small group causal loop diagram

A modeler introduced the concept of CLDs and relevant notions, such as polarities and balancing and reinforcing feedback loops, using examples from previously elicited variables. Participants worked into small groups to draw their own CLDs using variables they identified in previous activities, encouraged to add more if needed. Each small group presented their CLD with the wider group

X

Large group causal loop diagram

A modeler introduced the concept of CLDs and relevant notions, such as polarities and balancing and reinforcing feedback loops, using examples from previously elicited variables. The modeler then guided participants to further build on the CLD, using previously elicited variables, encouraged to add more if needed

X

X

X

Reflections and closing

A facilitator provided reflections about insights gained during the workshop and how they contribute to the overall project, discussed next steps, and acknowledged stakeholders for their participation

X

X

X

X

X