Evolution of food deserts and food swamps in a Brazilian metropolis between 2008 and 2020.

The aim of the current ecological study is to assess the evolution of food deserts and food swamps in the metropolitan city of Belo Horizonte between 2008 and 2020. Food deserts were determined based on the density of healthy establishments per 10,000 inhabitants, whereas food swamps were set based on the density of ultra-processed food procurement establishments per 10,000 inhabitants. The rate of census tracts classified as food deserts has decreased between 2008 and 2020, whereas that of census tracts classified as food swamps has increased within this same period. Furthermore, despite the reduced number of food deserts, these areas have increased in census tracts living under lower socioeconomic vulnerability condition. Food swamps recorded sharp increase in census tracts living under higher vulnerability condition. The population living in the herein investigated city has been increasingly exposed to an unhealthy community food environment over 12 years. Monitoring changes in community food environment is key strategy to enable tracking the effectiveness and efficiency of actions taken in food environments to ensure the human right to adequate food.

Evolution of food deserts and food swamps in a Brazilian metropolis between 2008 and 2020 / Evolução dos desertos e pântanos alimentares entre 2008 -2020 em uma metrópole brasileira

Abstract The aim of the current ecological study is to assess the evolution of food deserts and food swamps in the metropolitan city of Belo Horizonte between 2008 and 2020. Food deserts were determined based on the density of healthy establishments per 10,000 inhabitants, whereas food swamps were set based on the density of ultra-processed food procurement establishments per 10,000 inhabitants. The rate of census tracts classified as food deserts has decreased between 2008 and 2020, whereas that of census tracts classified as food swamps has increased within this same period. Furthermore, despite the reduced number of food deserts, these areas have increased in census tracts living under lower socioeconomic vulnerability condition. Food swamps recorded sharp increase in census tracts living under higher vulnerability condition. The population living in the herein investigated city has been increasingly exposed to an unhealthy community food environment over 12 years. Monitoring changes in community food environment is key strategy to enable tracking the effectiveness and efficiency of actions taken in food environments to ensure the human right to adequate food.

Resumo O estudo tem por objetivo avaliar a evolução dos desertos e pântanos alimentares entre 2008 e 2020. Os desertos alimentares foram determinados pela densidade de estabelecimentos saudáveis por 10 mil habitantes, e os pântanos alimentares pela densidade de estabelecimentos de aquisição de alimentos ultraprocessados por 10 mil habitantes. O estudo identificou que, entre 2008 e 2020, diminuiu o percentual de setores censitários classificados como desertos alimentares e aumentou o de setores censitários classificados como pântanos alimentares. Além disso, observou-se que, apesar da redução no número de desertos alimentares, essas áreas tiveram aumento em setores censitários de menor vulnerabilidade socioeconômica. E os pântanos alimentares apresentaram aumento acentuado em setores censitários de maior vulnerabilidade. Ao longo de 12 anos, a população está cada vez mais exposta a um ambiente alimentar comunitário pouco saudável. O monitoramento das mudanças no ambiente alimentar comunitário é uma estratégia primordial que possibilita acompanhar a efetividade e eficácia das ações realizadas no ambiente alimentar para a garantia do direito humano à alimentação adequada.

Food and nutrition public establishments: assessment of the food environment.

This article aims to assess the community food environment around areas with and without Food and Nutrition Public Establishments (FNPE). Cross-sectional study carried out in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The unit of analysis was the buffer (500m) around the FNPE and the census tracts without FNPE. The investigated establishments should market food for consumption at home and be located within the buffer of the areas with and without FNPE. Data collection performed by direct observation (active search) in August to October 2019. Data collected were location and type of commercial establishments, the density of the establishments was calculated. Descriptive analysis, spatial distribution (Kernel estimator) and Nearest Neighbor analysis were performed. Of the evaluated establishments, 60.5% were in the areas without FNPE and 39.6% in the areas with FNPE, showing a random distribution pattern. Of these, 24.2% were convenience stores and bakeries, 21.0% butcher stores, and 19.0% street markets. Seven FNPE were close to commercial establishments. There were fewer establishments around the FNPE, with convenience stores and bakeries predominating.

Obesogenic neighborhood environment is associated with body fat and low-grade inflammation in Brazilian children: could the mother's BMI be a mediating factor?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the direct and indirect associations of obesogenic and leptogenic neighborhood environments with body fat, and pro- and anti-inflammatory adipokines in Brazilian children. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. The body fat distribution was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Concentrations of leptin and adiponectin were measured. Four hundred meters (0·25 miles) road network buffer was the neighborhood unit used to assess the environmental characteristics around households. Obesogenic and leptogenic environments were the latent variables obtained from the observed characteristics. The mother's BMI, ultra-processed food consumption, and physical activity before and after school, were tested as mediating variables. A hybrid model of structural equations was used to test the direct and indirect associations of obesogenic and leptogenic environments with body fat, leptin and adiponectin concentrations. SETTING: Urban area of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Children aged 8- and 9-years (n 367). RESULTS: Obesogenic environment was directly associated with the mother's BMI (ß: 0·24, P = 0·02) and the child's body fat (ß: 0·19, P = 0·02). The mother's BMI and body fat mediated the association of the obesogenic environment with leptin concentrations (ß: 0·05, P = 0·02). CONCLUSIONS: Obesogenic neighborhood environment was directly associated with body fat and mother's BMI, and indirectly associated with leptin concentrations in Brazilian children, mediated by the mother's BMI and body fat.

Food and nutrition public establishments: assessment of the food environment / Equipamentos públicos de segurança alimentar e nutricional: avaliação do ambiente alimentar

Abstract This article aims to assess the community food environment around areas with and without Food and Nutrition Public Establishments (FNPE). Cross-sectional study carried out in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The unit of analysis was the buffer (500m) around the FNPE and the census tracts without FNPE. The investigated establishments should market food for consumption at home and be located within the buffer of the areas with and without FNPE. Data collection performed by direct observation (active search) in August to October 2019. Data collected were location and type of commercial establishments, the density of the establishments was calculated. Descriptive analysis, spatial distribution (Kernel estimator) and Nearest Neighbor analysis were performed. Of the evaluated establishments, 60.5% were in the areas without FNPE and 39.6% in the areas with FNPE, showing a random distribution pattern. Of these, 24.2% were convenience stores and bakeries, 21.0% butcher stores, and 19.0% street markets. Seven FNPE were close to commercial establishments. There were fewer establishments around the FNPE, with convenience stores and bakeries predominating.

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é avaliar o ambiente alimentar comunitário de áreas com e sem estabelecimentos públicos de segurança alimentar e nutricional (EPSAN). Estudo transversal realizado em Belo Horizonte, Brasil. Unidade de análise foi o buffer (500m) no entorno dos EPSAN e dos setores censitários sem EPSAN. Os estabelecimentos investigados deveriam comercializar alimentos para consumo no domicílio e localizar-se dentro do buffer das áreas com e sem EPSAN. Coleta de dados realizada por observação direta (busca ativa) de agosto a outubro de 2019. Os dados coletados foram localização e tipo dos estabelecimentos comerciais, e também foi calculada a densidade dos estabelecimentos. Foram feitas análise descritiva, distribuição espacial (estimador de Kernel) e análise do vizinho mais próximo. Dos estabelecimentos avaliados, 60,5% estavam nas áreas sem EPSAN, e 39,6% nas áreas com EPSAN, apresentando padrão de distribuição aleatório. Desses, 24,2% eram lojas de conveniência e padarias, 21,0% açougues e 19,0% feiras-livres. Sete EPSAN encontravam-se próximos aos estabelecimentos comerciais. Havia menor número de estabelecimentos no entorno dos EPSAN, com predominância de lojas de conveniência e padaria.

Association between contextual factors and coverage of the Acwy meningococcal vaccine, after three years of its overdue, in the vaccination calendar of adolescents in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil: global space regressions.

The objective of the study was to analyze the spatial distribution of vaccination coverage of bacterial meningitis vaccine: A, C, W and Y (menacwy) and identify the association between socioeconomic and social environment factors with menacwy vaccine coverage among adolescents in the state of Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil. This is an ecological, mixed study, conducted with secondary data from the 853 municipalities of the State of MG, Brazil, from 2020 to 2022, provided by the information system of the National Immunization Program. For spatial statistical analysis, spatial dependence and the presence of spatial clusters formed by municipalities with high and low vaccination coverage of Menacwy were evaluated. In the year 2021, MG presented the largest vaccination coverage (60.58%) since the introduction of the Menacwy vaccine by the PNI. Regarding the analysis of global regressions, it is observed that for the year 2020, as the MG Index of Social Responsibility-Health increased and MG Index of Social Responsibility-Public Security increased, increased the vaccination coverage of the municipalities of the Menacwy vaccine. Finally, compared to 2021, similar association was observed in relation to the proportion of the population served by the Family Health Strategy of the municipalities of the state of MG and per capita spending on education activities: as this indicator increased, with increased coverage of the Vaccine of the Menacwy vaccine of the state municipalities. They reinforce the importance of assessing the quality-of-care management and health surveillance system, professional training, and damage reduction to populations, especially adolescents.

Characteristics of the obesogenic environment around schools are associated with body fat and low-grade inflammation in Brazilian children.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of obesogenic environmental characteristics around schools with body adiposity and adipokine concentrations in Brazilian children. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. Body adiposity was assessed using the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and chemerin were measured. Predominantly ultra-processed food (UPF) stores, public physical activity (PA) facilities, green spaces, walkability, traffic accidents and crime were evaluated. The neighbourhood unit was the 400 m (0·25 miles) road network buffer around schools. The association of environmental characteristics with body adiposity and adipokine concentrations was assessed by linear regression models using generalised estimating equations. SETTING: Urban schools (n 24), Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Children aged 8 and 9 years (n 378). RESULTS: A higher density of predominantly UPF stores and a lower percentage of green space were associated with higher total (ß: 0·12; 95 % CI 0·06, 0·18 and ß: -0·10; 95 % CI -0·16, -0·04, respectively) and android body fat (ß: 0·28; 95 % CI 0·13, 0·43 and ß: -0·18; 95 % CI -0·32, -0·04, respectively). In addition, the densities of PA facilities and crime were inversely associated with leptin concentrations. Traffic accidents density and percentage of green spaces around schools had, respectively, a positive and an inverse association with concentrations of adiponectin and RBP4. CONCLUSIONS: Obesogenic environmental characteristics around schools were associated with total and android body fat, as well as with pro-inflammatory adipokine concentrations in Brazilian children from a medium-sized city.

Community food environment and childhood obesity in a medium-sized Brazilian city: An approach to school and neighborhood environments.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to analyze the relationship of community food environments with childhood obesity in a medium-sized Brazilian city. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with 366 schoolchildren aged 8 and 9 years. Children's body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), high cholesterol density lipoprotein (HDL-c), low cholesterol density lipoprotein (LDL-c) and triglycerides (TG) were measured. The parent's nutritional status was assessed by calculating the BMI. All food stores within a 200- and 400-m radius buffers of schools and households were evaluated. The food stores were classified as healthy, unhealthy, and mixed according to the predominance of foods commercialized. Binary logistic regression models were proposed for each category. RESULTS: Over seventy percent (70.2%) of the food stores were categorized as "unhealthy". The prevalence of obesity was 15.6%. In the 200-m buffer around schools, there was an inverse and direct association between obesity and the presence of healthy food stores and unhealthy food stores, respectively. Around the households, there was an inverse association between the presence of healthy food stores and obesity in both buffers. CONCLUSION: The community food environment may be protective or potentiating childhood obesity, depending on the access and types of food sold.

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.

Environmental factors associated with excessive gestational weight gain: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

The aim is, systematically examine the scientific evidences that associated environmental factors (environment, social environment, environmental planning and spatial population distribution) with the excessive gestational weight gain. A meta-analysis and systematic review carried out as per the Cochrane Handbook recommendations and following the steps recommended by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes. The inclusion studies were done with the following PECO criteria: P-pregnant women, E-environmental factors, O-weight gain. The search procedure was conducted on the databases EMBASE, Web of Science, Cinahl, LILACS and MEDLINE (PubMed). The relationship between the socioeconomic factors of the micro-region of residence and gestational weight gain was evidenced by the linkage between residing in high-poverty neighborhoods and inadequate gestational weight gain. This study revealed the higher prevalence of excessive gestational weight gain in pregnant women those lives in urban areas. Environmental factors of the pregnant women's residence area implicated in the excessive gestational weight gain. Our findings can therefore contribute to the development of public policies to prevent inadequate gestational weight gain.

Environmental factors associated with excessive gestational weight gain: a meta-analysis and systematic review / Fatores ambientais associados ao ganho de peso gestacional excessivo: uma meta-análise e revisão sistemática

Abstract The aim is, systematically examine the scientific evidences that associated environmental factors (environment, social environment, environmental planning and spatial population distribution) with the excessive gestational weight gain. A meta-analysis and systematic review carried out as per the Cochrane Handbook recommendations and following the steps recommended by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes. The inclusion studies were done with the following PECO criteria: P-pregnant women, E-environmental factors, O-weight gain. The search procedure was conducted on the databases EMBASE, Web of Science, Cinahl, LILACS and MEDLINE (PubMed). The relationship between the socioeconomic factors of the micro-region of residence and gestational weight gain was evidenced by the linkage between residing in high-poverty neighborhoods and inadequate gestational weight gain. This study revealed the higher prevalence of excessive gestational weight gain in pregnant women those lives in urban areas. Environmental factors of the pregnant women's residence area implicated in the excessive gestational weight gain. Our findings can therefore contribute to the development of public policies to prevent inadequate gestational weight gain.

Resumo O objetivo é examinar sistematicamente as evidências científicas que associam fatores ambientais (meio ambiente, meio ambiente social, planejamento ambiental e distribuição espacial da população) com o excessivo ganho de peso gestacional. Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática e meta-análise realizada seguindo os passos recomendados pelo Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes. Os estudos de incluídos basearam-se nos seguintes critérios PECO: P-gestantes, E-fatores ambientais, O-ganho de peso gestacional. O procedimento de pesquisa foi conduzido nas bases de dados EMBASE, Web of Science, Cinahl, LILACS e MEDLINE (PubMed). A relação entre os fatores socioeconômicos da microrregião de residência e o ganho de peso gestacional foi evidenciada pela ligação entre a residência em bairros de alta pobreza e o ganho de peso gestacional inadequado. Este estudo revelou a maior prevalência de ganho de peso gestacional excessivo em gestantes que vivem em áreas urbanas. Fatores ambientais da área de residência das gestantes implicados no ganho de peso gestacional excessivo. As descobertas desse estudo podem, portanto, contribuir para o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas para evitar o ganho de peso gestacional inadequado.

Obesogenic environment around schools is associated with atherogenic risk in Brazilian children.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiometabolic risk factors often emerge in childhood, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. The school environments represent an important active space in a child's routine and may influence their health status. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to evaluate the clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors and its association with the obesogenic and leptogenic environment around schools. A total of 378 children (181 boys; 197 girls) aged 8 and 9 years, enrolled in all urban schools of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil, were evaluated. Concentrations of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) and triglycerides (TG), and the insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), waist circumference (WC), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured. The neighborhood income, walkability index, predominantly ultra-processed food stores, public spaces for leisure and/or physical activities, traffic accidents, crime and green spaces densities were assessed in 400 road network buffers around schools. To test association of the obesogenic and leptogenic environment around schools with cardiometabolic risk clustering, binary logistic regression models were performed with generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: "Obesogenic school environments" had greater densities of ultra-processed food stores, crime and traffic accidents, and higher walkability. The "↓ Atherogenic risk" cluster consisted of higher HDL-c values. There was an inverse association between the obesogenic environment around schools and a child's "↓ atherogenic risk" clustering (OR = 0.63; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We concluded that public policies aimed at modifying the environment around schools, by providing healthier food options and safe conditions for active mobility, are essential to prevent child's atherogenic risk.

Neighborhood obesogenic environment and cardiometabolic risk in Brazilian children: The mediation role of the mother's body mass index.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the association of neighborhood obesogenic and leptogenic environments with cardiometabolic risk clustering among Brazilian schoolchildren, mediated by child's ultra-processed food consumption and the mother's body mass index (BMI). METHODS: A total of 367 children aged 8-9 years, enrolled in urban schools of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil, were evaluated. Waist circumference, insulin resistance, blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and triglycerides concentrations were measured. The child's ultra-processed food consumption assessment was performed by applying three 24-hour dietary recall. The mother's weight and height values were used to calculate the BMI. The neighborhood income, walkability index, predominantly ultra-processed food stores, public spaces for leisure, and/or physical activities, traffic accidents, crime, and green spaces densities were assessed in four hundred road network buffers around households. From neighborhood and cardiometabolic risk variables, four latent variables were obtained from confirmatory factor analysis: neighborhood "obesogenic", and "leptogenic" environments; "high cardiometabolic risk," and "low atherogenic risk". A structural equation model was used to test the direct and indirect associations between neighborhood environment and cardiometabolic risk clusters. RESULTS: The neighborhood obesogenic environment had a significant total association (Standardized Coefficient = 0.172, p = .011) and was indirectly associated with the child's "high cardiometabolic risk" cluster, mediated by the mother's body mass index (Standardized Coefficient = 0.066, p = .049). CONCLUSIONS: Our results reinforce the role of the urban environment on maternal obesity and child's cardiometabolic risk and provide evidence for public health policies aimed to prevent such conditions.

Neighborhood factors associated with leisure-time physical activity in a Brazilian city.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the association between environmental variables and leisure-time physical activity levels in an adult population of a medium-sized city in Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study with a sample of 965 adults (20-59 years). Individual, socioeconomic, demographic and behavioral data were obtained through a population-based survey. Environmental data were collected through direct observation and subsequently georeferenced. The outcome variable was leisure-time physical activity level, dichotomized as insufficiently active (<150 min/week) and active (≥150 min/week). Physical activity-related facilities were categorized as public or private, and food outlets as healthy, unhealthy or mixed. Monthly per capita income and crime rate by census tract were used to categorize the social environment. Statistical analysis was performed using binary logistic regression (generalized estimating equation models). A direct association was found between the availability of public (adjusted OR = 2.16; 95% CI = 1.44-3.25) and private (adjusted OR = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.02-1.44) physical activity facilities in the census tract and leisure-time physical activity. A greater availability of mixed food establishments was associated with higher leisure-time physical activity levels (adjusted OR = 1.10; 95% CI = 1.004-1.22). Environmental characteristics can contribute together to leisure-time physical activity and could be the focus of policies aimed at promoting physical activity in middle-income countries.

This research estimated how leisure-time physical activity relates to environmental aspects in an adult population of a medium-sized city in Brazil. Nine hundred sixty-five adults (20­59 years) participated in a survey to give individual, socioeconomic, demographic and behavioral information. Researchers also directly observed the environment to collect data and subsequently georeferenced it, to further apply regression models (statistical analysis). Being active during leisure, (i.e. practicing 150 min/week or more), was related to having more public (city squares and outdoor gyms, walking areas and university campus) and private physical activity facilities (clubs, courts, sports halls, soccer fields and gyms), as well as having greater availability of mixed food establishments (restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets and hypermarkets). Therefore, environmental characteristics can contribute together to leisure-time physical activity and could be the focus of policies aimed at promoting physical activity in middle-income countries.

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.

Availability of food stores around Brazilian schools.

The aim of this study was to analyze the availability of food stores in the territory of schools. Ecological study conducted in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil, with all schools (N=42) and food stores (N=656). Data were collected through the objective evaluation of the environment, and the stores were categorized into healthy, unhealthy, mixed and supermarkets. Bivariate Ripley´s K function assessed the existence of clustering of categories of stores in the territory of schools. All the schools had at least one food store in their territory. Unhealthy stores were the most common and closest to the schools. There were more stores around private schools, offering high school education, located in the central region and in the highest per capita income tercile. The bivariate Ripley´s K function showed evidence of clustering of stores at all analyzed distances (400 to 1.5 km) with up to 3 times more establishments than would be expected if they were randomly distributed. Therefore, schoolchildren were likely exposed to unhealthy food environments, regardless of neighborhood income and location, which may contribute to inadequate food choices.

Availability of food stores around Brazilian schools / Disponibilidade de estabelecimentos de venda de alimentos no entorno de escolas brasileiras

Abstract The aim of this study was to analyze the availability of food stores in the territory of schools. Ecological study conducted in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil, with all schools (N=42) and food stores (N=656). Data were collected through the objective evaluation of the environment, and the stores were categorized into healthy, unhealthy, mixed and supermarkets. Bivariate Ripley´s K function assessed the existence of clustering of categories of stores in the territory of schools. All the schools had at least one food store in their territory. Unhealthy stores were the most common and closest to the schools. There were more stores around private schools, offering high school education, located in the central region and in the highest per capita income tercile. The bivariate Ripley´s K function showed evidence of clustering of stores at all analyzed distances (400 to 1.5 km) with up to 3 times more establishments than would be expected if they were randomly distributed. Therefore, schoolchildren were likely exposed to unhealthy food environments, regardless of neighborhood income and location, which may contribute to inadequate food choices.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a disponibilidade de estabelecimentos de venda de alimentos no território das escolas. Estudo ecológico conduzido em Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil, com todas as escolas (N=42) e estabelecimentos de venda de alimentos (N=656). Dados foram coletados através de avaliação objetiva do ambiente, e estabelecimentos foram categorizados em saudáveis, não saudáveis, mistos e supermercados. Função K de Ripley bivariada avaliou a existência de agrupamento das categorias de estabelecimentos no território das escolas. Todas as escolas tinham no mínimo um estabelecimento de venda de alimentos em seu território. Estabelecimentos não saudáveis foram mais frequentes e próximos das escolas. Havia mais estabelecimentos no entorno de escolas particulares com ensino médio, localizadas na região central e de maior tercil de renda per capita. A função K de Ripley bivariada evidenciou o agrupamento de estabelecimentos em todas as distâncias analisadas (400 a 1,5 km), com três vezes mais estabelecimentos do que o esperado em uma distribuição aleatória. Portanto, escolares provavelmente estavam expostos a um ambiente alimentar não saudável, independentemente da renda da vizinhança e da localização das escolas, o que pode contribuir para escolhas alimentares inadequadas.

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.

Retail food environment in a Brazilian metropolis over the course of a decade: evidence of restricted availability of healthy foods.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in the retail food environment profile in a Brazilian metropolis over a 10-year period. DESIGN: An ecological study was conducted in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The addresses of formal food establishments were geocoded and classified according to their sold-food profile. Density changes were analysed according to neighbourhood, population size, income level and geospatial distribution. SETTING: Totally, 468 neighbourhoods in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Totally, 83 752 formal food establishments registered for operation in any one or more of those years: 2008, 2011, 2015 and 2018. RESULTS: There was an increase in unhealthy establishments (154 %), followed by mixed (51 %) and healthy establishments (32 %), during the period evaluated, in addition to an increase in density according to income categories. There was a higher proportion of unhealthy establishments in relation to healthy establishments, indicating worsening of the community food environment over time. CONCLUSIONS: Over the course of 10 years, changes in the neighbourhood's food environment were unfavourable for adequate access to healthy foods in lower-income neighbourhoods. The findings reinforce the need for interventions aimed at increasing the availability of businesses that offer healthy food in the city.

Environmental and individual factors associated with gestational weight gain.

BACKGROUND: Environmental factors have an impact on inappropriate food choices and sedentary lifestyle, and both individually and in combination these factors favour improper gestational weight gain (GWG) and consequent maternal and neonatal health problems. The objective of this study was to analyze the environmental and individual factors associated with GWG. METHODS: Data were from "Born in Belo Horizonte: Survey on childbirth and birth", a hospital-based retrospective cohort of 506 pregnant women with deliveries in public and private maternity hospitals in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews from November 2011 to March 2013. The outcome variable of this study was the GWG categorized based on the Institute of Medicine Guidelines. Explanatory environmental variables included the availability and access to food environment and places available for physical activity in the neighborhood. Explanatory individual variables included socioeconomic and demographic, obstetric and childbirth variables. Generalized estimating equations examined the association of environmental and individual factors with insufficient or excessive GWG. RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 506 mothers. There was 36.4% pregnant women showing excessive GWG and 22.7% showing GWG below the recommended interval. Regarding excessive GWG, there was a positive association with the number of mixed food purchasing establishments close to the place of residence, pre-pregnancy body mass index in the categories of overweight and obesity, arterial hypertension and the private sector as the predominant place for prenatal consultations. CONCLUSION: GWG outside of the recommended interval was associated with individual and environmental factors, and most pregnant women had insufficient or excessive gestational weight gain. Such results can complement previously published evidence, important for creating more effective strategies for the prevention of excessive and inadequate GWG and the consequent problems related to it during pregnancy.