title: Welcome from the policies, socio-economic aspects, and health systems research section.
abstract: At BMC Obesity, the Policies, Socio-economic Aspects, and Health Systems Research Section provides an opportunity to submit research focussed on what we need to know to support implementation of obesity policies most likely to achieve substantial, sustainable and equitable reductions in the prevalence of obesity globally. Here, we present the aims and objectives of this section, hearing from each of the Associate Editors in turn. The ambition of the Policies, Socio-economic Aspects, and Health Systems Research Section is to foster innovative research combining scientific quality with real world experience. We envisage this will include research addressing the structural drivers of obesity, solution oriented research, research addressing socio-economic inequalities in obesity and obesity prevention in low and middle income countries. We look forward to stimulating research to advance both the methods and substance required to drive uptake of effective and equitable obesity reduction policies globally.
authors.affiliation: Obesity & Population Health, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia ; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peeters
authors.affiliation: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK ; Leverhulme Centre for Integrative Research on Agriculture and Health, London, UK.
authors.forename: Helen L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Walls
authors.affiliation: Obesity & Population Health, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia ; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Backholer
authors.affiliation: WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sacks
authors.affiliation: Faculty Public Health, University Muhammadiyah, Aceh, Indonesia.
authors.forename: Asnawi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abdullah