Research Theme #X
Sweden Chile Obesity Prevention Evidence (SCOPE)
Keywords: Childhood Obesity Prevention, Exposome, Systems-Based Approach, Community-Based Health
Workshop Leaders (PIs)
Juan Carlos Caro
Universidad de Concepción
Peter Bergsten
Uppsala Universit
Research Theme Summary
Child well-being declines as exemplified by rising overweight and obesity prevalence of 47% and 13% in 4-year-olds and exceeding 70% and 50% in adults in Chile and Sweden, respectively. Obesity carries serious physical and mental health consequences for individuals and society, yet no sustainable reduction has been achieved in either country. To tackle this challenge, an ACCESS research theme (RT) was formed to study how environmental chemical exposures affected obesity development (ACCESS 2024, Stockholm). In 2026, the group took a multidisciplinary, systems-based approach to childhood obesity prevention, building partnerships with local municipalities including Chiguayante in Chile, and Uppsala in Sweden (ACCESS 2026, Concepción).
“Sweden Chile Obesity Prevention Evidence (SCOPE)” as RT for ACCESS 2027. SCOPE focuses on systems-based prevention strategies, emphasizing the expertise needed to initiate, implement, and evaluate systems-based interventions in municipality settings. The primary deliverable is a multidisciplinary study design for a long-term cohort evaluation, intended for presentation to Chilean, Swedish, and European funding agencies.
Drawing on the successfully implemented Dutch JOGG model of locally managed, systems-based obesity prevention, the present study will adapt this approach for pilot Chilean and Swedish municipalities. Children in the municipalities will build cohorts with individual-level data and biological samples with omics data. At the community level, administrative and open GIS data will map the social exposome, characterizing neighborhoods through socioeconomic and health equity lenses to identify intervention opportunities and assess implementation. Significance: This systems-based initiative aims to improve child health while generating transferable interdisciplinary evidence on tackling complex societal challenges.
Desired Expertise
Academics from other underrepresented disciplines will be encouraged to apply, including areas less covered by the previous RTs that are relevant to a system-based perspective, including urban planning, public policy, implementation science, social work and community health.
Join this Workshop.
About the ACCESS Forum & Research Themes (RTs)
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The ACCESS Forum is an immersive, bi-national event held every 18 months that connects scholars across Chilean and Swedish member universities to address global societal challenges. Rather than functioning as a standard academic conference with passive presentations, an ACCESS workshop operates as an intensive, dedicated "working laboratory."
Participants commit to a single Research Theme (RT)—a targeted, co-led scientific initiative aligned with the ACCESS Research Framework. Over four days of collaborative work sessions, interactive discussions, and co-design activities, participants remain with the same cohort to move research ideas from concept to action.
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By joining our workshop cohort at the upcoming ACCESS Forum, you will:
Co-Develop Concrete Outcomes: Work directly toward joint academic publications, collaborative grant proposals (e.g., ANID, STINT, Horizon Europe), co-supervision of PhD candidates, etc.
Cross-Contextual Insights: Exchange datasets, methodologies, and local perspectives between Chilean and Swedish contexts.
Expand Your Network: Connect with senior researchers, Early Career Researchers (ECRs), and non-academic stakeholders across both research and innovation ecosystems.
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To apply for a seat in this Research Theme workshop, please review the desired expertise above and complete the application form before the registration deadline.
IMPORTANT: Applications from ACCESS member universities will be prioritize.Apply here by 1 November 2026: XXX