Perceptions Regarding Healthy Eating Based on Concept Mapping

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to examine contemporary perceptions of healthy eating among individuals living in a rapidly evolving social, economic, and cultural environment. A mixed-methods approach was employed using the concept mapping method to collect, visualize, and analyze participants' perceptions. Methods: Twenty-four Korean individuals aged 16 to 55 participated in the study. Initially, perceptions of healthy eating were gathered through focus group interviews. These responses were organized into sixty-three unique statements. Participants were then asked to sort the statements and rate each one's importance and performance on a 5-point Likert scale. The sorted and rated data were analyzed using R-CMap, an open-source software for concept mapping. Results: The analysis revealed six key clusters of healthy eating perceptions among Korean consumers: Food Choice, Nutrition, Eating Habits, Eating Environment, Production, and Preparation and Cooking. These perceptions are influenced by Korean food culture and the current eating context. In addition, a detailed analysis of the statements revealed that public perceptions of healthy eating have shifted in recent years. Conclusions: This research is significant in that it offers a structured and visualized framework of healthy eating perceptions among Koreans aged 16-55, reflecting their adaptation to ongoing socio-cultural transformations.