Making the most of obesity research: developing research and policy objectives through evidence triangulation

Drawing lessons from research can help policy makers make better decisions. If a large and methodologically varied body of research exists, as with childhood obesity, this is challenging. We present new research and policy objectives for child obesity developed by triangulating user involvement data with a mapping study of interventions aimed at reducing child obesity. The results suggest that enhancing mental wellbeing should be a policy objective, and greater involvement of peers and parents in the delivery of obesity interventions would be beneficial. We conclude that exploiting the evidence base through triangulation is a useful and valid method.