Dong Ha Kim

Objectives: This study explored how rural older adults with obesity in South Korea manage their weight within the spatiotemporal context of daily life. Methods: A spatiotemporal qualitative case study was conducted in Inje County, a rural area with high obesity and aging rates. Twenty-two adults aged 65 and above with obesity (body mass index ≥25) or central obesity (waist circumference criteria) were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. From January to April 2023, data were collected via in-depth interviews, cognitive mapping, 24-hour time charts, and Global Positioning System tracking. Transcripts were analyzed using generic qualitative analysis with Atlas.ti 9, integrating spatial and temporal data to refine themes. Results: Four themes emerged: (1) health was valued but obesity was not viewed as a health threat; (2) caregiving and subsistence work constrained time use, with most physical activity from household and farm labor; (3) weight management practices were sporadic and shaped by gender and household context; and (4) limited mobility restricted access to community resources. Conclusion: For rural older adults, weight management is embedded in everyday routines and constrained by social and environmental contexts. Sustainable interventions should therefore be place-based and routine-oriented, extending beyond individual education.

Objectives: This study examined changes in alcohol drinking behaviors among single-person households in Seoul, South Korea, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and compared them with multiple-person households. The study further identified factors influencing changes in alcohol consumption, specifically among single-person households. Methods: Data were drawn from a survey on health behavior changes conducted among 3,669 adults aged 20–69 living in Seoul in October 2020. We analyzed how pandemic-related changes—such as reduced income, heightened stress, mental health vulnerability, Internet use, and increased time at home—affected drinking frequency, quantity, location, and partners. Results: Overall alcohol consumption declined during the pandemic, but patterns differed by household type. Single-person households reported more frequent solitary drinking at home and a smaller reduction in heavy drinking than multiple-person households. Within single-person households, higher stress and greater leisure-related Internet use were associated with increased drinking frequency, quantity, and solitary home drinking. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the pandemic reinforced patterns of solitary drinking without adequately addressing preexisting alcohol-related health problems. Although overall consumption declined, the rise in habitual solitary drinking at home underscores the need for targeted health promotion interventions to prevent long-term alcohol-related harms.

Objectives: This study explores how urban young adults practice active living and use community assets. Methods: A qualitative case study was conducted in Seoul on young adults (aged 19–39 years) in areas with low physical activity rates. A total of 30 in-depth interviews were conducted. Data were analyzed using a pattern-finding approach to explore the meaning of active living, challenges in its practice, the role of community assets in supporting active living, and its relationship with urban young adults’ health. Results: Four key themes emerged: (1) Young adults perceived active living as a multifaceted practice that supports physical health, emotional stability, and social connection. (2) They actively used diverse community assets, including local parks, public programs, digital platforms, and peer networks, tailoring them to their daily routines. (3) A gap was noted between available community assets and young adults’ daily routines, particularly in areas with systemic constraints such as limited infrastructure, inflexible schedules, and spatial fragmentation. (4) Active living was practiced as a contextually adjusted and flexible routine shaped by everyday conditions like time availability, financial constraints, and access rather than pursued as an aspirational lifestyle. Conclusion: Findings suggest that active living should be integrated into daily urban life through flexible, context-sensitive strategies. By leveraging both physical and digital community assets, future interventions must reduce structural barriers and support accessible, sustainable practices aligned with young adults’ living realities.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the walking experiences of older adults in Seoul by uncovering the interaction between perception, behavior, and the environment. Specifically, we provided a thick description of how walking shapes and reflects self-identity, social connections, and everyday practices among older adults living in a walkable urban neighborhood. Methods: A qualitative geographic information system approach was employed to integrate qualitative and geospatial methods. From July to December 2020, 38 older adults residing in a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood in Seoul were recruited. Data collection involved individual in-depth interviews, mobile global positioning system (GPS) tracking, and ActiGraph monitoring. Thematic coding and categorization of interview data was integrated with GPS and ActiGraph data to identify patterns and contextual conditions for walking. Results: Older adults in this study perceived walking as essential to their autonomy and well-being, reinforcing a healthy self-image and fostering social connections. The dense and diverse urban environment facilitated walking for both leisure and practical purposes, creating opportunities for social interaction and informal social safety networks. However, participants who walked for work, such as collecting recyclables, achieved fewer physical health benefits than those who walked for leisure. The integration of qualitative and spatial behavioral data triangulated participants’ narratives with neighborhood walking patterns in activity levels, purpose-specific routes, and natural social hubs. Discussion: These insights highlight the need for urban health policies to prioritize walkable environments that promote active living and equitable access to daily opportunities for older adults. Addressing these challenges requires practical strategies that promote healthy aging and reduce social inequalities supporting everyday physical and social engagements.

Sedentary lifestyles among urban young adults are a growing public health concern, contributing to the rise in chronic diseases worldwide. Factors such as neighborhood walkability and access to amenities play a critical role in promoting physical activity among young adults. However, the specific ways urban environments influence active lifestyles vary and are context-dependent. This study explores how urban assets shape the active living experiences of young adults in a physical activity-friendly neighborhood in Seoul, South Korea. It addresses how these features support active lifestyles in a dense, competitive, and culturally complex urban environment. Twenty-six young adults residing in the study area, selected through purposive sampling, were recruited between September 2022 and May 2023. Using a spatiotemporal qualitative design, experiential, spatial, and temporal data were collected through in-depth interviews, cognitive mapping, and 24-hour activity tracking. The data were analyzed using generic qualitative analysis—a flexible approach to identifying patterns in qualitative data—and overlay analysis to integrate insights on how urban assets interact with young adults’ active lifestyles. Young adults perceive active living as a self-directed pursuit, balancing personal growth and social engagement within a compact urban environment. Urban assets, including parks, fitness centers, and walkable streets, are key enablers. However, young adults also perceive psychological pressure to maintain an active lifestyle in a competitive urban setting. This study highlights the need for urban environments that promote physical activity while considering the unique challenges of young adulthood. Public health policies should ensure equitable access to urban assets, supporting young adults’ active lifestyles.

Objectives: This study aims to examine research trends and key factors influencing depression in urban young adults in South Korea. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following Arksey and O'Malley's framework. Literature published between 2020 and 2023 was systematically searched using keywords such as “urban,” “young adults,” and “depression” in databases including DBpia, KISS, and RISS. Of the 3,659 articles initially identified, 75 studies focusing on urban young adults and depression were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria. Data extraction focused on study design, sample characteristics, depression measures, and significant risk and protective factors. Results: The results revealed a notable increase in studies on urban young adults’ depression post-COVID-19, with 85% being university students. The CES-D was the most frequently used depression measure, appearing in 72% of studies, although variations in its adaptation potentially limited comparability across studies. Key personal factors, such as self-esteem and resilience, mitigated depressive symptoms, while social factors, including isolation and support, significantly influenced depression severity. Environmental factors, such as housing insecurity and economic burden, were major contributors to depression. Conclusion: Effective interventions to address urban young adults’ depression require psychological support, community engagement, and policies addressing housing and economic challenges. Additionally, the post-pandemic increase in research highlights the need for continued exploration of dynamic risk factors and evolving mental health needs among young adults.

This study aimed to examine the multifaceted aspects of citizen participation in Korean Healthy City programs for waste management. Five climate change response programs were selected as case studies, and a document review was conducted. Case information was collected from the ‘Best Practices of Healthy Cities’ and other relevant sources, and the data were analyzed using qualitative document analyses. In all cases, citizen participation was integrated into both program strategies and detailed activities. Our analysis suggested that participation efforts often aimed either at improving capacity or at expanding participation and shaping culture. When we reviewed the 19 detailed activities that included citizen participation, the most frequent role was ‘participation in designated activities,’ which was implemented in ways such as ‘attending courses,’ ‘participating in leadership development activities,’ ‘participating in the living lab,’ ‘joining a campaign,’ and ‘attending exhibitions and events.’ Drawing on discussions about Healthy Cities and creating healthy environments, we categorized the types of citizen participation outcomes, and activities that sought to promote citizen capacity building appeared most frequently, though these were primarily measured by participant numbers or the outputs of activities. In addition, only three results were considered ‘outcomes,’ in the categories of ‘physical environment changes’ and ‘institutional changes.’ We found that citizens played various roles in waste management programs. To enhance the effectiveness of citizen participation, it is crucial to clearly define the intended impact of such participation, and to ensure that it is systematically integrated into the overall program structure.