농촌 비만 노인의 체중조절 실천에 대한 시공간 기반 질적 사례연구

Abstract

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.