Understanding the local food environment: A participatory photovoice project in a low-income area in Madrid, Spain

• Published in: Health & place Vol. 43; pp. 95 - 103
• Main Authors: Díez, Julia, Conde, Paloma, Sandin, María, Urtasun, María, López, Remedios, Carrero, José Luis, Gittelsohn, Joel, Franco, Manuel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2017; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Community-Based Participatory Research; Consensus building; Diet; Economic analysis; Economic crisis; Environment; Environmental aspects; Environments; Female; Food; Food consumption; Food environment; Health Promotion - methods; Health technology assessment; Healthy food; Humans; Income; Low income areas; Low income groups; Male; Middle Aged; Moderation; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Participatory Action Research; Photography; Photography - methods; Photovoice; Policy making; Poverty; Poverty Areas; Residents; Social relations; Spain; Urban health; Urban Population; Madrid Spain; Spain; Participatory Action Research; Photovoice; Food environment; Urban health; Spain
• ISSN: 1353-8292; 1873-2054
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2016.11.012

There is a need to partner between researchers, practitioners and residents to increase our understanding of environmental influences on dietary behaviors. We used the participatory method of Photovoice to understand key determinants of the local food environment influencing residents' diets. This project was conducted in Villaverde, a low-income area located in Madrid, Spain. From February to May 2015, 24 residents working in four Photovoice groups, took photographs related to their local food environment. Each group analyzed and critically discussed their photographs in small group sessions. Through a consensus-building process, participants identified 30 emerging categories, which followed five conceptual themes related to their food environment: 1) eating in moderation, 2) cultural diversity, 3) food stores, 4) social relationships and 5) economic crisis and poverty. Participants, researchers and practitioners successfully collaborated in analyzing, writing, disseminating the project results, and directly informing local policy-makers, media, and other residents. The project results may guide community-generated interventions for promoting a healthier food environment. •Residents reflected their local food environment, engaging in a Photovoice project.•They identified 5 main themes, related to both structural and social determinants influencing residents' diets.•Project results included a photobook, a photographic exhibit, a video and a website with an interactive cartography.•Results may inform local action for designing community-generated interventions.•Participants were actively involved, analyzing their data and sharing their results.