This document describes a Photovoice project conducted with residents of a low-income neighborhood in Madrid, Spain. The project aimed to understand environmental and social characteristics of the local food environment influencing residents' diets. Participants took 163 photos of their local food environment and identified 31 themes which were merged into 5 main themes: eating in moderation, cultural diversity, food retailers, socialization, and economic crisis and poverty. The Photovoice method engaged residents and generated policy recommendations. The project revealed novel aspects of the local food environment and the information will help develop community-generated interventions.

1. Julia Díez, Paloma Conde, María Sandín, María Urtasun,
Remedios López, Joel Gittelsohn and Manuel Franco
Understanding community food
environment through Photovoice:
a participatory action research
project in Madrid
PhotoVoice is a project co-funded by

2. http://hhhproject.eu
What is Photovoice?
• Photovoice is an innovative participatory-action research
method. Caroline C. Wang and Mary Ann Burris (1994, 2000)
• It enables people to identify, capture, and reflect their
community´s strengths and concerns through photography
• Informs policy makers to promote health related public policies

3. http://hhhproject.eu
Main objective
To conduct a participatory photovoice project
with residents of a low-income urban area to
understand environmental and social
characteristics of the local food environment
influencing residents diets.

4. http://hhhproject.eu
Setting Two neighborhoods of a
low-income area in Madrid (Spain).
Participants
- 24 residents (31-72 years old).
- A group of women and another
one of men per neighborhood.
Procedure
- A total of 163 pictures of their
local food environment
- Groups met at least for 5 sessions
two months
Photovoice Food Environment:
Methods

5. http://hhhproject.eu
Photovoice Food Environment:
Participants´Analysis
- Each one chose their best photograph
- Participants defined the meaning of
their photographs and discussed them
critically
- Participants identified 31 emerging
themes

6. http://hhhproject.eu
31 final themes of the four
groups were finally merged
into 5 main themes:
o Eating in moderation
o Cultural diversity
o Food retailers
o Socialization
o Economic crisis and poverty
Photovoice Food Environment:
Results

7. http://hhhproject.eu
Theme 1: Eating in moderation

8. http://hhhproject.eu
Theme 2: Cultural diversity

9. http://hhhproject.eu
Theme 3: Food retailers

10. http://hhhproject.eu
Theme 4: Socialization

11. http://hhhproject.eu
Theme 5: Economic crisis
and poverty

12. http://hhhproject.eu
Disseminating results and
reaching policy makers
Citizen Science Meeting Photography exhibit
• Residents participated in dissemination strategies raising
awareness and promoting social action: Photobook, Video,
Scietific and cultural meetings, Media collaboration
• Participants generated 11 policy recommendations

13. http://hhhproject.eu
Photovoice was a useful and engaging method for
understanding Madrid residents´ perspectives on the
most salient characteristics of the local food
environment affecting residents’ diets.
Participants´ chosen themes revealed novel and
relevant aspects of the local food environment.
The information gained through this Photovoice
project and its dissemination efforts will help
developing community-generated interventions.
Photovoice Food Environment
Villaverde Madrid: Conclusions