A living lab approach to understanding healthy weight needs of Black communities in areas of deprivation

Tackling the widening gap in health inequalities is of critical concern, with people in the most deprived neighbourhoods in England and certain ethnic groups getting multiple long-term health conditions many years earlier than the least deprived communities.The impact of inequalities on health outcomes can be seen in conditions associated with living with obesity.

Black ethnic groups are a high-risk group with over 70% of Black adults in England as overweight, the highest percentage out of all ethnic groups.Existing gaps of evidence and data on ethnic groups and weight management and an ongoing lack of interventions that resonate with UK Black ethnic groups, means that very little is still understood.

Recent studies and engagement with Black communities call for participatory, community-centred approaches to healthy weight management. The living labs approach is a methodology known for user innovation and co-creation of solutions.

This project aims to explore the utility of the living lab approach to understand the healthy weight needs of Black communities living in areas of high deprivation. Co-design living lab methods will be used to center the voice and lived experience of Black communities.

Research capacity and knowledge will be developed, leading to larger, collaborative studies on healthy weight inequalities.