Objectives: This study aimed to examine systems behavior of urban walking by analyzing a dynamic structure in Seoul, South Korea. Methods: As a systems thinking approach to urban walking and health promotion, we developed a Casual Loop Diagram based on literature review and expert consultation. The reviewed literature included: 1) qualitative studies that explores the experiences of urban walkers in Seoul; 2) a systematic review study on the built environmental factors related to walking; 3) policy research reports related to urban walking in Seoul. Results: The feedback structure for urban walking was related to the three urban environments (safety & walking environment, socioeconomic environment, and public transportation environment), and was characterized by a trade-off consisting of eight reinforcing loops and four balancing loops. Conclusions: The policies for a walkable city require multi-sectoral cooperation in order to change the causal loop structure related to the decline of walking. Therefore, it is necessary to establish legal and institutional conditions so that multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary approaches are possible.

Introduction Amid the growing global concern about obesity, young adults in South Korea are particularly affected, with 30.8% of people aged 19–34 classified as obese. Given the urban-centric lifestyle of Korean youth, understanding the relationship between daily life activities and the urban environment holds great promise for effective interventions. This study aims to explore the daily life activities of young adults with obesity in Seoul, a city known for its highly accessible and compact environment. The research questions explore the interaction between daily life activities and the neighbourhood environment and consider weight management in an urban context. Methods and analysis This study uses an extended qualitative geographic information system approach to explore a district in Seoul with a highly accessible and compact urban environment. The sample comprises young adults with obesity (aged 19–34) residing in the study area, with recruitment targeting up to 51 participants for data saturation. A qualitative, multimethod approach combines descriptive and spatiotemporal data collection. Descriptive data are being collected, including in-depth interviews and photographs of daily food consumption. Spatial data collection involves field observations, cognitive mapping and mobile Global Positioning System tracking. Temporal data is gathered through participants drawing round timetables, detailing their daily schedules. Data analysis will entail thematic analysis of the interview data and content analysis of the spatiotemporal data. For the integrated analysis, pattern finding will be used to synthesise the data. Ethics and dissemination This study was approved by the institutional review board of Seoul National University on 11 July 2022. Data collection and curation are currently underway, and the results of the analysis will be shared with the scientific community at international conferences and peer-reviewed journals. We are planning an open seminar to share our research findings with relevant policy-makers, community organisations and health professionals.

The prevalence of obesity is gradually increasing in South Korea, and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has accelerated the weight gain. In response to COVID-19, South Korea implemented targeted distancing measures based on the number of COVID-19 cases, rather than a full lockdown. This study focused on two subgroups that influence the rise in obesity prevalence during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and explored the factors contributing to rapid weight gain in this group during this period. This cross-sectional study involved 3,462 participants recruited through the MicroEmbrain Inc. Online survey panel. Participation emails were sent by the research company to the online survey panel, and individuals who voluntarily agreed to participate responded to the survey. The participants consisted of residents aged 19 and above from Seoul, with sample distribution taking considering sex, age, and region. Height, and weight before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were self-reported. The analysis revealed that compared with that of pre-COVID-19 statistics, 11 % of all participants entered the overweight or obese categories post COVID-19, and among those who were overweight or obese before COVID-19, 42.5 % reported weight gain. Both groups had relatively younger individuals, higher stress levels, spent more time alone, and had increased usage of online platforms including online food purchasing. Post-COVID-19 wt gain among individuals with pre-existing overweight or obesity status was associated with a higher frequency of solitary drinking (odds ratio [OR] = 1.407, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.024-1.932), increased online leisure time (OR = 1.336, 95 % CI = 1.063-1.678), and increased use of meal delivery services (OR = 1.307, 95 % CI = 1.026-1.664). The prevalence of obesity has continued to rise after COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for interventions that mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic on health behavior.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the meaning of neighborhood and the perceived healthy lifestyle of young single-person households experiencing housing poverty. Methods: The research design applied a single case study approach. Purposive sampling was implemented until data saturation was reached; 20 young single-person households experiencing housing poverty in a vulnerable neighborhood in Seoul were recruited for the study. Data were collected between September 2021 and May 2022. We conducted qualitative multi-methods analysis with semi-structed interviews that combined cognitive mapping and timetabling of the participants’ daily activities. The collected data were analyzed using pattern matching. Results: For single-person households experiencing housing poverty, the perceived healthy lifestyle involved living an orderly daily life in accordance with a planned schedule for daily tasks. Single-person households in housing poverty preferred goal-oriented and individual living spaces use to minimize the cost, time, and energy expended in daily life. For young single-person households in housing poverty, the concept of neighborhood implied a place where they could live conveniently but did not wish to settle down. Conclusion: Community health promotion programs should be planned based on an understanding of the perceived healthy lifestyle of young single-person households experiencing housing poverty. A place-based approach that creates natural opportunities for meeting neighbors could help them rethink the meaning of their neighborhoods and develop a sense of belonging.

Introduction The number of single-person households is increasing globally—including in South Korea, where they account for over 30% of all households. Young single-person households in South Korea face health problems and housing challenges. Both the perceived and objective aspects of the neighbourhood environment, as a community asset, play a significant role in sustaining a healthy lifestyle. This study aims to explore and describe the meaning, roles and spatiotemporal characteristics of neighbourhood environments for a healthy lifestyle in young single-person households experiencing housing poverty in Seoul, South Korea. Methods and analysis This ongoing study uses an extended qualitative geographic information systems approach to explore a district in the city of Seoul that has the highest population density of young single-person households experiencing housing poverty. The study sample comprises young single-person households aged 19–39 years who are experiencing housing poverty in the study area, with an expected saturation point of approximately 55 participants. We employ online and offline recruitment strategies to ensure the inclusion of diverse perspectives and a multimethod approach that combines descriptive and spatiotemporal data collection techniques (eg, individual in-depth interviews, field observations and mobile global positioning system tracking). The data analysis encompasses thematic and content analyses to understand the neighbourhood environment’s perceived attributes and the spatiotemporal characteristics of healthy lifestyles. In the integrated analysis, we plan to combine the qualitative findings with living space and daily-life patterns using qualitative software and a hybrid relational database. Ethics and dissemination The Institutional Review Board of Seoul National University approved the research protocol on 18 May 2021. The findings will be shared at international conferences and published in academic journals. Additionally, an online seminar will be conducted to share the results with policy-makers, researchers, community organisations and health workers working with young single-person households experiencing housing poverty.

Objectives: This study is to analyze public response to a bill of designating public alcohol-free zone expressed in the forms of comments and social endorsement cues of an online news article. Methods: The data were 711 valid comments and social endorsement cues on an online article about the proposal of a regulation banning alcohol drinking in public places of Seoul, published on the portal site NAVER and DAUM in June 2016. The comments were analyzed and categorized into four types: supporting the policy, questioning the policy, opposing to the policy, and suggesting policy alternatives. Results: As results of the study, 48% of the comments supported a bill of designating public alcohol-free zones, and only 9% of the comments opposed. Specifically, support for policies to regulate harm to others was high, but acceptance of policies that directly restricted drinking, such as alcohol-price increase or restrictions on sales hours and places, was low. Conclusions: The results of this study can be used as a basis for the policy to reduce negative effects of drinking in the public place. Alcohol policy should be strengthened to lower the availability of alcohol such as public place drinking regulations.