Influence of Highly Accessible Urban Food Environment on Weight Management: A Qualitative Study in Seoul

Abstract

We explored the characteristics of the food environment and its influence on weight management in Seoul, Korea. Photo elicitation interviews were conducted with 73 participants who took three photographs per topic related to their food environment and discussed these photographs in groups. Through thematic analysis, we identified four themes concerning participants' perceptions of the food environment and weight management: (1) "convenience comes first," (2) "tempting food environment," (3) "alcohol and <i>anju</i>," and (4) "burden of individual effort to manage weight." A systematic change toward an environment supportive of healthy eating and weight management is recommended.