Environmental factors affecting obesity in urban residents in metropolitan area: Evidence from Seoul, South Korea

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigates the effects of urban physical activity and food environments on obesity. Methods: We analyzed data from the Korean Community Health Survey in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, from 2012 to 2016, using spatial logistic regression. The analyses were conducted to investigate the effects of proximity to and density of parks, road networks, convenience stores, pubs/barbecue restaurants, and snack bars on body mass index (BMI). The models were adjusted for age, sex, income, education, self-reported health status, and presence of chronic diseases. Results: Closer proximity to parks and higher road connectivity were inversely associated with BMI, with stronger effects observed in men. Food-environment associations were sex specific, i.e., men’s BMI increased with shorter distances to convenience stores and higher snack-bar density, whereas women’s BMI increased with the number of convenience stores and pubs/barbecue outlets. Conclusion: Green spaces and highly walkable streets protect against obesity, whereas food environments exert complex, sex-specific influences. Urban planning should prioritize park access, enhanced walkability, and zoning to regulate high-calorie food outlets and curb obesity in metropolitan populations.