Scientific research on food environments in Brazil: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: To map the scientific research on food environments in Brazil, based on the following questions: How many studies have addressed food environments?; What study designs and methodological approaches were applied?; What is the geographic scope of the studies?; What scenarios and dimensions of food environments were studied?; Which population groups were studied?; How were food environments conceptualised?; What are the main limitations of the studies? DESIGN: Scoping review conducted in four databases, from January 2005 to December 2022, using different food environment-related terms to cover the main types and dimensions proposed in the literature. The studies were independently selected by two authors. A narrative synthesis was used to summarise the findings. SETTING: Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: 130 articles. RESULTS: Scientific research on Brazilian food environments has been increasing. The analytical quantitative approach and the cross-sectional design were the most frequently used. Most articles were published in English. The majority of studies evaluated the community food environment, addressed aspects of the physical dimension, sampled the adult population, had food consumption as an outcome, used primary data, and were carried out in capital cities in the Southeast region. Furthermore, in most articles, no conceptual model was explicitly adopted. CONCLUSIONS: Gaps in literature are related to the need for conducting studies in the Brazilian countryside, the support for the formulation of research questions based on conceptual models, the use of valid and reliable instruments to collect primary data, in addition to the need for a greater number of longitudinal, intervention and qualitative studies.

Do Brazilian regulatory measures promote sustainable and healthy eating in the school food environment?

BACKGROUND: Regulatory measures regarding food in the school environment aim to promote a healthier food environment in public and private schools. In Brazil, implementing regulations in the school food environment does not occur the same way across states and cities, and no national regulation covers public and private schools. The present study aims to analyze regulatory measures for school food environments in Brazilian states and cities and develop a score to evaluate them. METHODS: A systematic search of the regulatory measures in force and implemented until 2021 was conducted. The score was developed based on the Model Law Project prepared by the Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection. It considered food and nutrition education actions, restrictions on the sale and distribution of food, a ban or restriction on food advertising and marketing, and points of excellence. These points included regulations that addressed the importance of supervision and social control, laws regulated by decree, the mention of a ban on ultra-processed foods, and whether the regulatory measures covered public and private schools. RESULTS: Sixty-five cities and states regulatory measures in force were found to be evaluated jointly by a federal entity (n = 43). Among the federal entities evaluated, only 13.95% fulfilled the function of promoting sustainable and healthy eating (8-12 points). CONCLUSIONS: Brazilian children and adolescents are exposed to a school food environment with regulations that partially fulfill the function of promoting an adequate, healthy, and sustainable diet. In this sense, it is necessary to improve regulatory measures or to encourage states and cities to develop effective legal provisions that are in line with the food guide for the Brazilian population and with the perspective of a healthy school food environment for the effective promotion of adequate, healthy and sustainable and healthy food in schools.

Dietary patterns, breakfast consumption, meals with family and associations with common mental disorders in adolescents: a school-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a period of transition and vulnerabilities, in which mental illnesses can develop more easily. The objective of this work is to analyze the association of dietary patterns, breakfast consumption, and the practice of having meals accompanied by the family with the presence of Common Mental Disorders in Brazilian adolescents. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study which analyzed data from 71,553 Brazilian adolescents aged 12-17 years, from the Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents (Portuguese acronym, "ERICA"). Principal Component Analysis was performed to identify dietary patterns, and Logistic Regression Models were performed to identify the associations between Common Mental Disorders, dietary patterns, and eating practices that are breakfast consumption and practice of having meals accompanied by family. RESULTS: Two patterns were found, a Healthy Dietary Pattern and an Unhealthy Dietary Pattern. Adolescents classified in the second (OR: 0.79; 95% CI 0.70-0.89) or third (OR: 0.86; 95% CI 0.77-0.96) tercile of the Healthy Dietary Pattern had a lower chance of having Common Mental Disorders. Eating breakfast sometimes (OR: 0.71; 95% CI 0.61-0.83) or almost every day/every day (OR: 0.54; 95% CI 0.47-0.62), and the practice of having the main meals with the family sometimes (OR: 0.69; 95% CI 0.57-0.84) or almost every day/every day (OR: 0.50; 95% CI 0.44-0.58), decreased the chance for Common Mental Disorders. CONCLUSION: This study observed that healthy dietary patterns are associated with better mental health in adolescents, thus should be encouraged and promoted.

The coexistence of obesogenic behaviors among Brazilian adolescents and their associated factors.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity in adolescents has increased significantly in recent years. The growth of obesity is motivated by the association with modifiable behaviors, however, this behavioral are commonly evaluated individually, not considering the possibility of these factors coexisting in the individual. The purpose of this essay was to identify the coexistence of obesogenic behaviors among Brazilian adolescents and to assess the factors associated with the presence of these behaviors. METHODS: This a cross-sectional, national, school-based study with data from the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), totaling a sample of 71,552 Brazilian adolescents. To identify the coexistence of obesogenic behaviors in adolescents, the Principal Component Analysis has been performed. To assess the association between factors that influence the coexistence of modifiable behaviors in the pattern of obesogenic behavior, logistic regression was used. The magnitude of the associations was estimated by the Odds Ratio (OR), with the respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). RESULTS: The component was characterized by a higher percentage of ultra-processed food intake, longer in front of screens, having a habit of snacking in front of the television, and not having the habit of eating breakfast. In the adjusted logistic model, it shows that female adolescents and who declare themselves black are more likely to belong to the third tertile of the pattern of obesogenic behavior. As for teenagers who sometimes or almost always or always have lunch or dinner with parents or guardians, who have longer hours of sleep and who live in economically disadvantaged regions have reduced chances of belonging to the third tertile of the pattern of obesogenic behavior. CONCLUSION: The identification of obesogenic behavior patterns allows assertive interventions to eliminate or reduce these changeable behaviors, also aiming at the possibility of reducing obesity among adolescents.

Living with parents, lifestyle pattern and common mental disorders in adolescents: a school-based study in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Mental health conditions represent 16% of the global burden of disease and injury in adolescents. Promotion, protection, and restoring the mental health must be considered indispensable, especially in adolescence. This study aims to verify the association of lifestyle pattern, living with parents and the presence of Common Mental Disorders (CMD) in Brazilian adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that analyzed data from 71,553 adolescents aged 12-17 years, from the Study on Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), between 2013 and 2014. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed to identify lifestyle pattern, and Logistic Regression Models were performed to identify the associations between lifestyle pattern, living with parents, and presence of CMD. RESULTS: To construct the Common Mental Disorders (CMD) variable, the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire was used. The Pattern of Healthy Lifestyle Practices found was characterized by higher water consumption, lower consumption of ultra-processed foods, the habit of eating breakfast, less exposure time to screens, habit of physical activity, and longer mean sleep time in hours. Adolescents belonging to the second (OR: 0.73; 95% CI 0.65-0.82) and third (OR: 0.44; 95% CI 0.39-0.50) terciles of the pattern, that is, those who had higher belonging to the pattern had lower chances of having CMD. Adolescents who lived with neither parent (OR: 1.44; 95% CI 1.16-1.78) were associated with a higher chance to present CMD. CONCLUSION: Living with parents can contribute to better mental health among adolescents. In addition, the adoption of a healthy lifestyle, encouraged by parents and the community, can reduce the chances of CMD in Brazilian adolescents.

School environment and obesity in adolescents from a Brazilian metropolis: cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Childhood-juvenile obesity is a globally acknowledged public health issue. The school environment has been widely assessed because it is where adolescents stay longer during the day, and it may have impact on obesity. School became a crucial environment for obesity prevention in children and adolescents. The aim of the present study was to associate schools' internal environment factors and its surrounding areas with obesity in adolescents from a Brazilian metropolis. METHODS: Cross-sectional study based on data from the Study on Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents. The sample comprised 2,530 adolescents in the age group 12-17 years, who were enrolled in public and private schools in Belo Horizonte City, Brazil. Obesity was the dependent variable based on the cut-off point score-z + 2 for body mass index based on age. School environment's independent variables were 'managerial dependence type', 'number of drinking fountains', 'school sports environment' and 'ready-to-eat food shops' around the school (within an 800 m buffer). RESULTS: Obesity prevailed in 7.21% in sample. The largest number of drinking fountains decrease by 9% the chances of obesity in adolescents enrolled in public and private schools; however, the second and third terciles recorded for the number of ready-to-eat food shops within the 800 m buffer around schools increased by 24% and 44% the chances of obesity, respectively. CONCLUSION: School food environment aspects such as the number of operational drinking fountains and the availability of ready-to-eat food shops around the school were associated with obesity in adolescents from a Brazilian metropolis.

Social inequalities in the surrounding areas of food deserts and food swamps in a Brazilian metropolis.

BACKGROUND: Food deserts are neighborhoods with little or no access to healthy food, whereas food swamps are neighborhoods where unhealthy food options prevail over healthy ones. The main aims of the current study are to feature and compare the neighborhoods of food deserts and food swamps based on social inequality. METHODS: Ecological study carried out in Belo Horizonte City, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Information about commercial food establishments derived from two different databases. It was measured by secondary governmental databases, which were virtually conferred in the present study. Census tracts were considered as analysis units and classified as food deserts and food swamps, based on the Brazilian methodology. Take into consideration the density of establishments classified as selling fresh or minimally-processed food, mixed establishments, and establishments selling ultra-processed food. The Brazilian methodology evaluates food deserts by the density of healthy establishments (establishments classified as mostly selling fresh or minimally-processed food and mixed establishments) per 10 thousand inhabitants. And the metric to evaluate food swamps considers the density of unhealthy establishments (establishments mostly selling ultra-processed food) per 10 thousand inhabitants. Information about social inequalities comprised aspects such as income, population count, number of households, number of literate individuals, race, water and energy supply, and garbage collection. The Health Vulnerability Index (HVI) was used as a synthetic social vulnerability indicator. RESULTS: Neighborhoods of food deserts presented worse essential service availability, lower income per capita, and smaller mean number of literate individuals. Census tracts classified as food swamps presented better socio-demographic conditions than those areas food deserts. Neighborhoods simultaneously classified as food deserts and food swamps presented lower income per capita and were more often observed in census sectors presenting medium and high HVI. CONCLUSION: The food environment in Belo Horizonte was featured by the strong presence of food deserts and food swamps. However, the potential influence of these areas on food intake has changed depending on social inequalities.

Digital food environment of a Brazilian metropolis: food availability and marketing strategies used by delivery apps.

OBJECTIVE: Food delivery apps represent an important and emerging dimension of the digital food environment. This study aimed to examine food availability and the use of marketing strategies by two food delivery apps in a Brazilian metropolis. DESIGN: An exploratory study was conducted in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. Food groups were identified and the use of price discounts and photos by the apps was observed. SETTING: Eighteen neighbourhoods and the ten best rated restaurants in each app. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred sixty-two commercial food establishments. RESULTS: The proportion of ultra-processed beverages on offer in the apps (78·45 %) was much higher in comparison with water (48·89 %), natural juices or smoothies (27·07 %). Ultra-processed ready-to-eat meals represented almost 70 % of the food offered in the establishments' menus, while traditional meals and vegetables represented just over 30 % of the offering. Ice cream, candies and salty packaged snacks were nine times more frequently presented than fruits. The use of photos and price discounts prevailed predominantly among ultra-processed beverages, sandwiches and ice cream, candies and salty packaged snacks. These marketing strategies were least used for promoting fruits and vegetables. CONCLUSIONS: Restaurants registered on food delivery apps offered a significant amount of ultra-processed foods with price discounts and photos in comparison with unprocessed and minimally processed foods.

[Perception of the food environment by Brazilian slum residents: a qualitative study]. / Percepção dos residentes de favelas brasileiras sobre o ambiente alimentar: um estudo qualitativo.

Food availability in the territory can influence food consumption by the population. However, it is important to understand how people perceive their food environment to see how food availability affects consumption in different contexts. This study aimed to assess the perception of the food environment by Brazilian slum residents in their neighborhoods. This is a qualitative study, with online focus groups guided by a script in order to gather collective discourses about access to food in Brazilian slums. The invitation to participate in this study was made through social media, and community leaders and nongovernmental organizations with actions in slums were contacted using the snowball sampling technique. Grounded theory analysis was applied with the technique of thematic networks. Access to food for slum residents involves lack of resources and essential elements for an adequate and healthy diet, such as lack of information about food, low income, and low availability of stores that sell healthy food at affordable prices. Public programs and policies are required to encourage the expansion of food and nutritional security resources, such as vegetable gardens and markets, to increase the supply and sell healthy food at affordable prices in slums. Actions are also required to address the complexity of obstacles faced by slum residents in the access to healthy foods.

A disponibilidade de venda de alimentos no território pode influenciar no consumo alimentar da população. Entretanto, é importante compreender como as pessoas percebem o seu ambiente alimentar para se entender como essa disponibilidade afeta seu consumo em contextos distintos. O objetivo foi avaliar a percepção dos moradores de favelas brasileiras sobre o ambiente alimentar em suas vizinhanças. Estudo qualitativo, em que foram realizados grupos focais online guiados por um roteiro para reunir discursos coletivos sobre o acesso aos alimentos em favelas brasileiras. O convite ocorreu por meio das redes sociais e do contato com líderes comunitários e organizações não governamentais que atuam em favelas, por meio da técnica de amostragem "bola de neve". Para a análise, foi utilizada a abordagem grounded theory (teoria fundamentada) e, como técnica, foi empregada a análise de redes temáticas. O acesso aos alimentos por moradores de favelas é permeado pela falta de recursos e elementos fundamentais para uma alimentação adequada e saudável, como: a falta de informação sobre alimentação; a renda insuficiente; e a baixa disponibilidade de estabelecimentos que comercializam alimentos saudáveis a preços acessíveis. São necessários programas e políticas públicas que incentivem a ampliação de equipamentos de segurança alimentar e nutricional, como hortas e feiras, e que aumentem a oferta de alimentos saudáveis com valores baixos nas favelas. Também são necessárias ações que abordem a complexidade das barreiras enfrentadas por moradores de favelas para ter acesso aos alimentos saudáveis.

La disponibilidad de venta de alimentos en el territorio puede influir en el consumo alimentario de la población. Sin embargo, es importante comprender la manera en que las personas perciben su entorno alimentario para comprender cómo esta disponibilidad afecta su consumo en diferentes contextos. El objetivo fue evaluar la percepción de los residentes de favelas brasileñas sobre el entorno alimentario en sus vecindarios. Estudio cualitativo, en el que se formaron grupos focales en línea orientados por un guion con el objetivo de reunir discursos colectivos sobre el acceso a los alimentos en favelas brasileñas. La invitación se dio por medio de las redes sociales y mediante el contacto con líderes comunitarios y organizaciones no gubernamentales que trabajan en favelas, utilizando la técnica de muestreo "bola de nieve". Para el análisis, se utilizó el enfoque de la grounded theory (teoría fundamentada) y, como técnica, se empleó el análisis de redes temáticas. El acceso a los alimentos de los habitantes de las favelas está permeado por la falta de recursos y elementos fundamentales para una alimentación adecuada y sana, tales como: la falta de información sobre la alimentación, los bajos ingresos y la poca disponibilidad de establecimientos que vendan alimentos sanos a precios asequibles. Se necesitan programas y políticas públicas para fomentar la ampliación de equipos de seguridad alimentaria y nutricional, como huertas y mercadillos, que aumenten la oferta y vendan alimentos sanos a precios asequibles en las favelas. También se necesitan acciones para abordar la complejidad de las barreras que enfrentan los residentes de las favelas para acceder a alimentos sanos.

Common mental disorders in Brazilian adolescents: association with school characteristics, consumption of ultra-processed foods and waist-to-height ratio.

Half of all mental health problems diagnosed in adulthood have their onset before or during adolescence, especially common mental disorders (CMD). Thus, it is relevant to study the factors associated with these disorders. This study aimed to investigate the association of school characteristics, consumption of ultra-processed foods, and waist-to-height ratio with the presence of CMD in Brazilian adolescents. This is a school-based, cross-sectional study that analyzed data from 71,553 Brazilian adolescents aged 12-17 years. The prevalence of CMD in these adolescents was 17.1% (cut-off point 5 for the General Health Questionnaire-12). Associations were estimated using multilevel logistic models, with the presence of CMD as the dependent variable. The final model, adjusted for non-modifiable individual variables, modifiable individual variables and family characteristics, identified a positive association between private-funded schools (OR = 1.10; 95%CI: 1.07-1.14), advertisements for ultra-processed foods (OR = 1.13; 95%CI: 1.09-1.17), the second to fourth quartiles of ultra-processed food intake and waist-to-height ratio (OR = 2.26; 95%CI: 2.03-2.52). This study demonstrated that the private-funded schools , the presence of ultra-processed food advertisements, the consumption of ultra-processed food, and an increased waist-to-height ratio are risk factors for CMD in Brazilian adolescents.

Consumption of ultra-processed foods and cardiometabolic risk factors in Brazilian adolescents: results from ERICA.

INTRODUCTION: The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) has increased over the past few decades. However, few studies have investigated the association between UPF consumption and cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents from developing countries. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between UPF consumption and cardiometabolic risk factors in Brazilian adolescents. METHODS: This study included students aged 12-17 years who participated in the ERICA. Food consumption was assessed using a 24-h food recall, and the foods were classified based on their degree of processing, utilizing the NOVA classification. Participants' blood samples were collected after an overnight fast and exams were performed (triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, fasting glucose, insulin, and HbA1c). Overweight/obesity and blood pressure were also investigated. Associations were evaluated using Poisson regression models. RESULTS: The analysis included a total of 36,952 adolescents. The energy consumption from UPF was 30.7% (95%CI: 29.7-31.6) per day. Adolescents with high UPF consumption, defined as the top tertile (≥38.7% per day), were observed to have higher intake of sodium, saturated and trans-fat, while having lower intake of proteins, fibers, polyunsaturated fats, vitamins and minerals. After adjusting for potential confounders, it was observed that higher UPF consumption was directly associated with high LDL-c (PR = 1.012; 95%CI: 1.005-1.029) and inversely with low HDL-c (PR = 0.972; 95%CI: 0.952-0.993). No associations were found between UPF consumption and other cardiometabolic risk factors. CONCLUSION: Brazilian adolescents have presented a high consumption of UPF, which is associated to poor diet quality and can contribute to elevated LDL-c levels.

[Characteristics of the community food environment and home surroundings of households beneficiaries of the "Bolsa Família" (family aid) program]. / Características do ambiente alimentar comunitário e do entorno das residências das famílias beneficiárias do Programa Bolsa Família.

Knowing the food environment to which the households benefiting from the Bolsa Familia Program (PBF) are exposed is necessary to identify exposure to environments that favor worse food choices. This work aimed to characterize the community food environment of the urban area of the municipality of Ouro Preto (MG), Brazil, and the surroundings of the homes of households that are beneficiaries of the PBF. This ecological study was conducted with data from the Single Registry and the State Treasury Department Systems, both from 2014, and from the 2010 Census. Spatial analyses were conducted to evaluate the clusters of beneficiary households and establishments. The peripheral and with lower per capita income census tracts (CTs) had little or no establishment for food sales, and greater agglomeration of PBF beneficiary households closer to unhealthy establishments (median: 65.73 meters). There was a higher concentration of - mainly unhealthy - food sales establishments in the central CTs and higher per capita income (59.2%). Given the above, it becomes important to dialogue with other nutrition-related public policies to reduce inequalities and improve physical access to healthy food sales establishments.

Conhecer o ambiente alimentar a que as famílias beneficiárias do Programa Bolsa Família (PBF) estão expostas é necessário para identificar a exposição a ambientes que favoreçam piores escolhas alimentares. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar o ambiente alimentar comunitário da zona urbana do município de Ouro Preto e do entorno das residências das famílias beneficiárias do PBF. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico, conduzido com dados do Sistema de Cadastro Único e da Secretaria Estadual da Fazenda, ambos de 2014, e do Censo 2010. Foram realizadas análises espaciais para avaliar as aglomerações de famílias beneficiárias e de estabelecimentos. Os setores censitários (SC) periféricos e com menor renda per capita apresentaram pouco ou nenhum local de venda de alimentos, bem como maior aglomeração de famílias beneficiárias do PBF, que estão mais próximas a estabelecimentos considerados não saudáveis (mediana: 65,73 metros). Verificou-se maior concentração de locais de venda de alimentos, sobretudo não saudáveis, nos SC de localização central e de maior renda per capita (59,2%). Nesse caso, torna-se relevante o diálogo com outras políticas públicas interrelacionadas com a nutrição, visando reduzir as iniquidades e contribuir para melhorar o acesso físico a estabelecimentos de venda de alimentos saudáveis.

Characteristics of the School Food Environment Affect the Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Among Adolescents.

Sugar-sweetened beverages are widely available and accessible in school environment, and their presence and characteristics of this environment can influence their consumption. This study examines the association of drinking fountains per 100 students, soft drink sales, soft drink advertising, and the presence of street vendors and sugar-sweetened beverages consumption among adolescents in Brazil. This cross-sectional study was carried out using data from the Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents that was conducted between March 2013 and December 2014. The sample comprised 71,475 adolescents aged 12-17 years from 1,247 public and private schools in Brazilian cities. Sugar-sweetened beverages consumption was the dependent variable. The main effect was the school food environment, which was evaluated based on drinking fountains per 100 students, soft drink sales, soft drink advertising, and the presence of street vendors. Public and private schools that sold soft drinks were associated with higher average sugar-sweetened beverages consumption among adolescents. Our study highlights the importance of creating healthy school food environments by banning sugar-sweetened beverages in schools accordingly.

Coexistence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among Brazilian adolescents: Individual characteristics and school environment.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) share common and modifiable risk factors; among them, unhealthy eating, physical inactivity, alcohol intake and smoking habit. However, these factors are not observed in separate and, most often, they influence each other. Risk factors established during adolescence are highly likely to remain in adult life. The aims of the current study were to evaluate the prevalence and coexistence of risk factors for CVD, as well as to investigate individual characteristic of the adolescent and environmental factors associated with risk factors' coexistence profiles. This was a cross-sectional, national, school-based epidemiological study that estimated the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome in adolescents aged 12 to 17 years who attended public and private schools located in Brazilian counties with a population of more than 100 thousand. For this study, thematic blocks referring to alcohol consumption, eating habits, smoking, and physical activity were used. The grade of membership method was used to identify the coexistence of risk and protective factors for CVD among adolescents. The study analytical sample comprised 71,552 adolescents. Multilevel logistic regression was used to assess the association between factors influencing the coexistence profile of risk factors for CVD. Based on adolescent-level variables, has shown that meeting positive criterion for Common Mental Disorders and not consuming the meals provided by the school have significantly increased the likelihood of belonging to the CVD-risk profile. On the other hand, school-level variables, show that studying in private schools and living in economically favored Brazilian regions have increased adolescents' likelihood of belonging to the CVD-risk profile. These results can be used to substantiate the inclusion of food environment variables in public policies focused on preventing CVD development among Brazilian adolescents.

School Type, Eating Habits, and Screen Time are Associated With Ultra-Processed Food Consumption Among Brazilian Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may be a result of the environmental influences to which adolescents are exposed and/or habits acquired since childhood through family interactions. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate whether type of school administration (public or private), eating habits, and screen time are associated with the percentage caloric contribution of UPFs to total kilocalories consumed by Brazilian adolescents. DESIGN: A cross-sectional secondary analysis of the Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents (ERICA) performed between March 2013 and December 2014. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: Overall, 71,553 adolescents from 1,247 public and private schools in 124 Brazilian cities (with a population of more than 100,000) were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We measured the percentage caloric contribution of UPFs to the total kilocalories consumed, obtained using one 24-hour food recall. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Generalized linear models were used, guided by the hierarchical model. Sample complexity was considered using the Stata svy command, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Overall, UPFs contributed an average of 28% (95% CI, 27.80%-28.15%) of total energy intake. Based on the final multivariate analysis, a significantly higher UPF diet was observed among adolescents from private schools (P < .001), those who do not consume meals offered by schools (P < .001), those who do not eat breakfast regularly (P < .05), those who eat in front of screens almost every day or every day (P < .001), and those who spend more time in front of screens (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that UPF consumption is associated with school type, eating habits, and screen time among Brazilian adolescents.

Health behavior patterns of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among Brazilian adolescents in a nationally representative school-based study.

Studies on sugar-sweetened beverage consumption patterns can help in the individual and population level management of chronic non-communicable diseases and other conditions. This study aimed to identify the association between health behavior patterns and the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among Brazilian adolescents from a nationally representative school-based study. A cross-sectional study analyzed data from 71,553 adolescents aged 12-17 years who attended public and private schools in Brazilian cities, from the Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents. Principal component analysis was performed to identify health behavior patterns, and ordered logistic regression was performed to identify the association between health behavior patterns and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption (mL/day) was used as the dependent variable. The analyses were performed using Stata software version 14.0 with a significance level of 0.05. Patterns 2 (alcoholic beverage and smoking habit) and 3 (ultra-processed food and screen time) of health behaviors and regularly purchasing snacks in the school cafeteria increased the odds of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, while pattern 1 (water, unprocessed and minimally processed food and physical activity) decreased these odds. The adoption of healthy habits can indirectly stimulate the adoption of other habits beneficial to health. These results indicate the importance of adopting a set of regulatory measures to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption.

Common mental disorders in Brazilian adolescents: association with school characteristics, consumption of ultra-processed foods and waist-to-height ratio / Transtornos mentais comuns em adolescentes brasileiros: associação com características escolares, consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados e razão cintura/estatura / Trastornos mentales comunes en adolescentes brasileños: asociación con características escolares, consumo de alimentos ultraprocesados y relación cintura/estatura

Abstract: Half of all mental health problems diagnosed in adulthood have their onset before or during adolescence, especially common mental disorders (CMD). Thus, it is relevant to study the factors associated with these disorders. This study aimed to investigate the association of school characteristics, consumption of ultra-processed foods, and waist-to-height ratio with the presence of CMD in Brazilian adolescents. This is a school-based, cross-sectional study that analyzed data from 71,553 Brazilian adolescents aged 12-17 years. The prevalence of CMD in these adolescents was 17.1% (cut-off point 5 for the General Health Questionnaire-12). Associations were estimated using multilevel logistic models, with the presence of CMD as the dependent variable. The final model, adjusted for non-modifiable individual variables, modifiable individual variables and family characteristics, identified a positive association between private-funded schools (OR = 1.10; 95%CI: 1.07-1.14), advertisements for ultra-processed foods (OR = 1.13; 95%CI: 1.09-1.17), the second to fourth quartiles of ultra-processed food intake and waist-to-height ratio (OR = 2.26; 95%CI: 2.03-2.52). This study demonstrated that the private-funded schools , the presence of ultra-processed food advertisements, the consumption of ultra-processed food, and an increased waist-to-height ratio are risk factors for CMD in Brazilian adolescents.

Resumo: Metade de todos os problemas de saúde mental diagnosticados na idade adulta têm seu início antes ou durante a adolescência, especialmente os transtornos mentais comuns (TMC). Desta maneira, é importante estudar os fatores associados a estes transtornos. Este estudo objetiva investigar a associação entre características escolares, consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados e razão cintura/estatura com a presença de TMC em adolescentes brasileiros. Trata-se de um estudo transversal de base escolar que analisou dados de 71.553 adolescentes brasileiros de 12-17 anos. A prevalência de TMC nesses adolescentes foi de 17,1% (ponto de corte 5 para o Questionário de Saúde Geral - GHQ-12). As associações foram estimadas por meio de modelos logísticos multiníveis, tendo como variável dependente a presença de TMC. O modelo final, ajustado para variáveis individuais não modificáveis, variáveis individuais modificáveis e características familiares, identificou uma associação positiva entre dependência administrativa privada (OR = 1,1; IC95%: 1,07-1,14), presença de propaganda de alimentos ultraprocessados (OR = 1,13; IC95%: 1,09-1,17), segundo a quarto quartis de consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados e razão cintura/estatura (OR = 2,26; IC95%: 2,03-2,52). Este estudo demonstrou que a dependência administrativa privada da escola, a presença de propagandas de alimentos ultraprocessados, o consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados e o aumento da razão cintura/estatura são fatores de risco para TMC em adolescentes brasileiros.

Resumen: La mitad de todos los problemas de salud mental diagnosticados en la edad adulta empiezan antes o durante la adolescencia, sobre todo los trastornos mentales comunes (TMC). Así, es importante estudiar los factores asociados a estos trastornos. El objetivo de este estudio es investigar la asociación entre las características escolares, el consumo de alimentos ultraprocesados y la proporción cintura/estatura y la presencia de TMC en adolescentes brasileños. Se trata de un estudio transversal de base escolar que analizó datos de 71.553 adolescentes brasileños de 12 a 17 años. La prevalencia de TMC en estos adolescentes fue del 17,1% (punto de corte 5 para el Cuestionario General de Salud - GHQ-12). Se estimaron las asociaciones a través de modelos logísticos multinivel, con la presencia de TMC como variable dependiente. El modelo final, ajustado para variables individuales no modificables, variables individuales modificables y características familiares, identificó una asociación positiva entre la dependencia administrativa privada (OR = 1,10; IC95%: 1,07-1,14), la presencia de publicidad de alimentos ultraprocesados (OR = 1,13; IC95%: 1,09-1,17), segundo al cuarto cuartil de consumo de alimentos ultraprocesados y la proporción cintura/estatura (OR = 2,26; IC95%: 2,03-2,52). Este estudio demostró que la dependencia administrativa privada de la escuela, la presencia de publicidades de alimentos ultraprocesados, el consumo de alimentos ultraprocesados y el aumento de la proporción cintura/estatura son factores de riesgo para trastornos mentales comunes en adolescentes brasileños.

Acesso físico às feiras de orgânicos municipais em favelas de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais / Physical access to municipal organic food fairs in favelas in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais

Introdução: Favelas são regiões que não foram priorizadas pelas políticas públicas, e isso se reflete no ambiente alimentar e, consequentemente, na dificuldade de acesso aos alimentos, sobretudo aqueles produzidos de forma sustentável. Objetivo: Caracterizar o acesso físico às feiras de orgânicos municipais em favelas de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, identificando desertos e pântanos alimentares e realizando uma comparação com a disponibilidade, distância e tempo de deslocamento de estabelecimentos que ofertam alimentos convencionais nessas áreas. Métodos: Foi analisada a distribuição das feiras de orgânicos municipais, dos equipamentos públicos de segurança alimentar e nutricional e dos estabelecimentos que ofertam alimentos cadastrados na Secretaria da Fazenda do Estado de Minas Gerais para o ano de 2019, nos 192 setores censitários localizados em favelas de Belo Horizonte. Para as análises closestfacility e distância de deslocamento, foi utilizado o buffer network de 500 metros. Também foi realizada a análise do tempo de deslocamento utilizando transporte público. Resultados: As feiras de orgânicos municipais estão em menor número e mais distantes dos centroides das favelas. E, além da maior distância para acessar as feiras caminhando, acessá-las por meio de transporte público leva, em geral, um tempo maior de deslocamento. Conclusões: São necessários programas e políticas públicas que incentivem a abertura de feiras de orgânicos e outros tipos de estabelecimentos que ofertam alimentos in natura e minimamente processados que adotem modelos de produção sustentáveis em áreas de favelas, a fim de reduzir as iniquidades de acesso aos alimentos saudáveis e sustentáveis nesse território.Introdução: Favelas são regiões que não foram priorizadas pelas políticas públicas, e isso se reflete no ambiente alimentar e, consequentemente, na dificuldade de acesso aos alimentos, sobretudo aqueles produzidos de forma sustentável. Objetivo: Caracterizar o acesso físico às feiras de orgânicos municipais em favelas de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, identificando desertos e pântanos alimentares e realizando uma comparação com a disponibilidade, distância e tempo de deslocamento de estabelecimentos que ofertam alimentos convencionais nessas áreas. Métodos: Foi analisada a distribuição das feiras de orgânicos municipais, dos equipamentos públicos de segurança alimentar e nutricional e dos estabelecimentos que ofertam alimentos cadastrados na Secretaria da Fazenda do Estado de Minas Gerais para o ano de 2019, nos 192 setores censitários localizados em favelas de Belo Horizonte. Para as análises closestfacility e distância de deslocamento, foi utilizado o buffer network de 500 metros. Também foi realizada a análise do tempo de deslocamento utilizando transporte público. Resultados: As feiras de orgânicos municipais estão em menor número e mais distantes dos centroides das favelas. E, além da maior distância para acessar as feiras caminhando, acessá-las por meio de transporte público leva, em geral, um tempo maior de deslocamento. Conclusões: São necessários programas e políticas públicas que incentivem a abertura de feiras de orgânicos e outros tipos de estabelecimentos que ofertam alimentos in natura e minimamente processados que adotem modelos de produção sustentáveis em áreas de favelas, a fim de reduzir as iniquidades de acesso aos alimentos saudáveis e sustentáveis nesse território.

Introduction: Favelas are usually in regions forgotten by public policies, and it reflects on their residents' food environment, as well as on their tough time accessing food, mainly produced through sustainable ways. Objective: Featuring the physical access to municipal organic-food fairs in Belo Horizonte City, Minas Gerais State, based on identifying food deserts and swamps and comparing food availability to distance and displacement time from shops that sell conventional food in these places. Methods: The distribution of organic food municipal fairs, as well as of both food security and nutrition public equipment, and shops selling food that was registered at Minas Gerais State Treasure Secretariat in 2019, located in the 192 census sectors set in Belo Horizonte favelas. The closest facility and displacement distance analyses were based on the 500m buffer network. Displacement time linked to public transportation usage was also analyzed. Results: The number of organic food municipal fairs in favelas is smaller, and favelas are located farther from fairs' centroids. The distance to be crossed to get to fairs on foot in favelas is also longer, and getting to them by public transportation often demands longer displacements. Conclusions: Public programs and policies are needed to encourage new organic fairs and other establishment types capable of providing fresh and minimally processed food in favela areas based on sustainable production models. It must be done to reduce inequities in access to healthy and sustainable food in these territories.

Percepção dos residentes de favelas brasileiras sobre o ambiente alimentar: um estudo qualitativo / Perception of the food environment by Brazilian slum residents: a qualitative study / Percepción de los residentes de favelas brasileñas sobre el entorno alimentario: un estudio cualitativo

Resumo A disponibilidade de venda de alimentos no território pode influenciar no consumo alimentar da população. Entretanto, é importante compreender como as pessoas percebem o seu ambiente alimentar para se entender como essa disponibilidade afeta seu consumo em contextos distintos. O objetivo foi avaliar a percepção dos moradores de favelas brasileiras sobre o ambiente alimentar em suas vizinhanças. Estudo qualitativo, em que foram realizados grupos focais online guiados por um roteiro para reunir discursos coletivos sobre o acesso aos alimentos em favelas brasileiras. O convite ocorreu por meio das redes sociais e do contato com líderes comunitários e organizações não governamentais que atuam em favelas, por meio da técnica de amostragem "bola de neve". Para a análise, foi utilizada a abordagem grounded theory (teoria fundamentada) e, como técnica, foi empregada a análise de redes temáticas. O acesso aos alimentos por moradores de favelas é permeado pela falta de recursos e elementos fundamentais para uma alimentação adequada e saudável, como: a falta de informação sobre alimentação; a renda insuficiente; e a baixa disponibilidade de estabelecimentos que comercializam alimentos saudáveis a preços acessíveis. São necessários programas e políticas públicas que incentivem a ampliação de equipamentos de segurança alimentar e nutricional, como hortas e feiras, e que aumentem a oferta de alimentos saudáveis com valores baixos nas favelas. Também são necessárias ações que abordem a complexidade das barreiras enfrentadas por moradores de favelas para ter acesso aos alimentos saudáveis.

Abstract Food availability in the territory can influence food consumption by the population. However, it is important to understand how people perceive their food environment to see how food availability affects consumption in different contexts. This study aimed to assess the perception of the food environment by Brazilian slum residents in their neighborhoods. This is a qualitative study, with online focus groups guided by a script in order to gather collective discourses about access to food in Brazilian slums. The invitation to participate in this study was made through social media, and community leaders and nongovernmental organizations with actions in slums were contacted using the snowball sampling technique. Grounded theory analysis was applied with the technique of thematic networks. Access to food for slum residents involves lack of resources and essential elements for an adequate and healthy diet, such as lack of information about food, low income, and low availability of stores that sell healthy food at affordable prices. Public programs and policies are required to encourage the expansion of food and nutritional security resources, such as vegetable gardens and markets, to increase the supply and sell healthy food at affordable prices in slums. Actions are also required to address the complexity of obstacles faced by slum residents in the access to healthy foods.

Resumen La disponibilidad de venta de alimentos en el territorio puede influir en el consumo alimentario de la población. Sin embargo, es importante comprender la manera en que las personas perciben su entorno alimentario para comprender cómo esta disponibilidad afecta su consumo en diferentes contextos. El objetivo fue evaluar la percepción de los residentes de favelas brasileñas sobre el entorno alimentario en sus vecindarios. Estudio cualitativo, en el que se formaron grupos focales en línea orientados por un guion con el objetivo de reunir discursos colectivos sobre el acceso a los alimentos en favelas brasileñas. La invitación se dio por medio de las redes sociales y mediante el contacto con líderes comunitarios y organizaciones no gubernamentales que trabajan en favelas, utilizando la técnica de muestreo "bola de nieve". Para el análisis, se utilizó el enfoque de la grounded theory (teoría fundamentada) y, como técnica, se empleó el análisis de redes temáticas. El acceso a los alimentos de los habitantes de las favelas está permeado por la falta de recursos y elementos fundamentales para una alimentación adecuada y sana, tales como: la falta de información sobre la alimentación, los bajos ingresos y la poca disponibilidad de establecimientos que vendan alimentos sanos a precios asequibles. Se necesitan programas y políticas públicas para fomentar la ampliación de equipos de seguridad alimentaria y nutricional, como huertas y mercadillos, que aumenten la oferta y vendan alimentos sanos a precios asequibles en las favelas. También se necesitan acciones para abordar la complejidad de las barreras que enfrentan los residentes de las favelas para acceder a alimentos sanos.

Características do ambiente alimentar comunitário e do entorno das residências das famílias beneficiárias do Programa Bolsa Família / Characteristics of the community food environment and home surroundings of households beneficiaries of the "Bolsa Família" (family aid) program

Resumo Conhecer o ambiente alimentar a que as famílias beneficiárias do Programa Bolsa Família (PBF) estão expostas é necessário para identificar a exposição a ambientes que favoreçam piores escolhas alimentares. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar o ambiente alimentar comunitário da zona urbana do município de Ouro Preto e do entorno das residências das famílias beneficiárias do PBF. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico, conduzido com dados do Sistema de Cadastro Único e da Secretaria Estadual da Fazenda, ambos de 2014, e do Censo 2010. Foram realizadas análises espaciais para avaliar as aglomerações de famílias beneficiárias e de estabelecimentos. Os setores censitários (SC) periféricos e com menor renda per capita apresentaram pouco ou nenhum local de venda de alimentos, bem como maior aglomeração de famílias beneficiárias do PBF, que estão mais próximas a estabelecimentos considerados não saudáveis (mediana: 65,73 metros). Verificou-se maior concentração de locais de venda de alimentos, sobretudo não saudáveis, nos SC de localização central e de maior renda per capita (59,2%). Nesse caso, torna-se relevante o diálogo com outras políticas públicas interrelacionadas com a nutrição, visando reduzir as iniquidades e contribuir para melhorar o acesso físico a estabelecimentos de venda de alimentos saudáveis.

Abstract Knowing the food environment to which the households benefiting from the Bolsa Familia Program (PBF) are exposed is necessary to identify exposure to environments that favor worse food choices. This work aimed to characterize the community food environment of the urban area of the municipality of Ouro Preto (MG), Brazil, and the surroundings of the homes of households that are beneficiaries of the PBF. This ecological study was conducted with data from the Single Registry and the State Treasury Department Systems, both from 2014, and from the 2010 Census. Spatial analyses were conducted to evaluate the clusters of beneficiary households and establishments. The peripheral and with lower per capita income census tracts (CTs) had little or no establishment for food sales, and greater agglomeration of PBF beneficiary households closer to unhealthy establishments (median: 65.73 meters). There was a higher concentration of - mainly unhealthy - food sales establishments in the central CTs and higher per capita income (59.2%). Given the above, it becomes important to dialogue with other nutrition-related public policies to reduce inequalities and improve physical access to healthy food sales establishments.