Table 2 Definition of systems, type of systems intervention or methods as provided by the authors of included manuscripts and implementation theory framework or model reported

Allender et al., 2019 [39]

Community-based participatory system dynamics for the development, implementation, evaluation of whole of community efforts to improve the health of children

Group model building

Authors used ‘Essential components of transformative systems change’ (Foster-Fishmann) to provide qualitative insights on implementation and evaluation of implementation (process and evaluation framework)

The SCOPE study

Amed et al., 2016 [40]

Kennedy et al. 2019 [41]

Complex social problems require 'systems approaches'; multi-component, multi-setting adaptive solutions that are implemented in real-world settings

Systems-level/community-level change

The manuscript describes its work as:

'a multi-sectoral, multi-component community-based childhood obesity prevention initiative grounded in systems thinking and participatory research principles' p.1

'This type of capacity-building approach grounded in systems thinking and principles of community-based participatory research and collective impact has proven to be an effective response to the complex socio-ecological causes of childhood obesity.' p.2

This study adapted the RE-AIM model with the knowledge translation model described in the study to create RE-FRAME (Reach, engagement, facilitation/coaching/training, resources, adaptation, mobilisation of champions, exchange of knowledge) -(evaluation framework)

Knowledge to action (KTA) framework (process framework)

Collective impact framework (process framework)

RE-FRAME model—based on RE-AIM framework—(evaluation framework)

The ‘Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child’ study

Ballard et al., 2020 [17]

Purnell et al., 2020 [42]

Community-based system dynamics (CBSD)—is a participatory approach for engaging communities in

understanding and changing complex systems

Social network analysis

The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model (process framework)

Healthy Together Victoria study

Bensberg 2021a [43]

Bensberg et al., 2021b [44]

Systems thinking is a method of problem solving that is concerned with the interconnections between system parts and their relationship to a functioning whole, which cannot be understood by looking at the parts in isolation [58]

Complex whole of system approach that required the activation of community-level organizations via multifaceted and interconnected interventions to improve physical inactivity, poor diet, smoking, and harmful alcohol use [59]

Systems thinking is an approach for solving complex problems, that emphasises looking at the whole rather than the isolated parts, and highlighting the relationships between the parts, their causal linkages and feedback loops

Systems change model (Centre of Excellence in Prevention Science)

Strengthening Systems for Chronic Disease Prevention framework (Baugh, Littlejohns and Wilson)

A stock and flow diagram

A causal loop diagram

Healthy Food Connect implementation guide (Victorian Dept. of Health Human Services) (process framework)

Brimblecombe et al., 2015 [45]

‘A cornerstone of these system approaches is the focus on achieving quality improvement through a structured ongoing cycle of participatory assessment, planning and action, to achieve step- by-step incremental improvement. Through this process of discussion and analysis stakeholders incrementally build their knowledge of the nature of the system and how it behaves.’ p.55

Good Food Planning Tool (author devised tool) (process framework)

Buccini et al., 2019 [46]

‘Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly is grounded in implementation science within the context of complex adaptive systems and the need to understand causal mechanisms and impact pathways of resulting policies and programmes to strengthen its impact and sustainability globally.']p.2

Programme impact pathways analysis (evaluation framework)

Gadsby et al., 2020 [47]

Adopts the Public Health England definition, ‘a local whole systems approach responds to complexity through an ongoing, dynamic and flexible way of working…stakeholders agree actions and decide as a network how to work together in an integrated way to bring about sustainable, long-term systems change’. p.2

RE-AIM framework (evaluation framework)

Kremser, 2011 [48]

Complexity theory underpins the study—systems and subsystems are defined. The classroom level was seen as a system level, distinguished from the school level

A systems approach in a school setting

WHO—Health Promoting Schools (WHO_HPS) (process framework)

Matheson et al., 2020 [49]

Healthy Families NZ is a government-funded initiative which takes a systems change approach to strengthening community leadership and organization to prevent chronic disease. It builds on existing action underway in the community to strengthen the health prevention system through evidence-driven action to enable people to make good food choices, be physically active, smoke free and free from alcohol-related harm

Described as a systems-change intervention

Five building blocks adapted from WHO Building Blocks for a Strong Health System (process framework)

Seven principles adapted from Healthy Together Victoria (process framework)

Ramanadhan et al., 2017 [50]

Defines capacity building as a systems intervention and acknowledges the importance of social relationships for knowledge sharing and practice change

Community-based systems approach (capacity building as a systems intervention)

Participatory Approach to Knowledge Translation (PaKT) Framework (process framework)

Rosas et al., 2019 [51]

Defines as per Leischow and Milstein [60] ‘Systems thinking considers connections among different components, anticipates their interaction, embraces transdisciplinary viewpoints, and requires active engagement of stakeholders to govern the course of change.’ p. 338

The manuscript reports an evaluation approach based on systems thinking and complexity science, principles, concepts, and methods

A theory of change was developed (although not reported here), to guide the communities work, and in turn developmental evaluation (GMB, VSM and SNA) was used to guide implementation. (Each community adjusted to their own needs)—(process and evaluation framework)

Rothwell et al., 2010 [52]

‘Systems thinking informs both the Ottawa charter and the social-ecological model of health’ p. 472

Welsh Network of Healthy Schools Scheme national framework based on Ottawa Charter principles (process framework)

Sautkina et al., 2014 [53]

This manuscript refers to the systems definition provided in Butland et al.,’Such a “systems-based” approach would target multiple determinants, at multiple levels throughout the life course [61]. In particular, the report stressed the importance of reshaping the built and social environments in order to facilitate improvements in diet and increase physical activity levels.’

Health promotion teams utilised their own preferred frameworks, no overarching guiding framework was provided

(unclear)

Serpas et al., 2013 [54]

A systems approach: ‘explicitly designs intervention strategies to focus on interactions and interconnections (integration) between different sectors in the community, and between the individuals and their environment in that community

‘accounts for the context and characteristics of a community in planning intervention strategies in order to see the whole picture so that intended and unintended consequences of intervention strategies can be recognized and strategies altered if required

‘utilizes a multidisciplinary approach, including community experts, to determine proposed interactions among systems and sectors that will be required to result in feasible interventions that are sustainable (persistence of changes made and ongoing adoption of new ones); scalable (an intervention can be brought to scale to impact many settings); and have reach (across cultural and language population sub-groups).’p. 81

Plan-Do-Study-Act (process framework)

Strategy Mapping Exercise (determinants framework)