[Food environment and space accessibility evaluation to perform physical activity in 3 socially contrasting neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires city]. / Evaluación del ambiente construido en barrios de diferente nivel socioeconómico de la CABA.

Due to the environmental influences on health, the goal of this study was to describe and compare the built environment in 3 socially contrasting neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires city.In 2011 a cross-sectional study was conducted in 3 socially contrasting neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires city: Recoleta (upper class), Almagro (middle class) and Constitución (lower class). Grocery stores and food stands were surveyed as well as all suitable spaces to perform physical activity. An analysis was conducted to assess the density of every food outlet per Km2 of each neighbourhood's area and per 10000 inhabitants. 2778 food stores and 149 outdoor physical activity facilities were surveyed. A higher density was observed in Constitución for fast food restaurants (Recoleta 3.6; Almagro 2.4; Constitución 6.7) and food stands (Recoleta 4.2; Almagro 1.2; Constitución 25.7) and a lower density for outdoor physical activity facilities. Population density and area density proved to be analogous. Statistically relevant differences were observed regarding the dimension of each food outlet: grocery stores, fruit stands, pubs, restaurants and food stands, as well as in the number of food stores and outdoor physical activity facilities. The information gathered in this study could be highly useful for public health policies on healthy lifestyles, and could eventually redefine the built environment in order to improve the city's equality regarding outdoor physical activity facilities and food stores.

Debido a que el ambiente influye sobre la salud de la población, nuestro objetivo fue describir y comparar el ambiente construido (alimentario y de actividad física) en tres barrios representativos de diferente nivel socioeconómico (NSE) de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA). Se realizó un estudio de corte transversal durante 2011 en tres barrios de la CABA representantes de diferente NSE: Recoleta (alto), Almagro (medio) y Constitución (bajo). Se relevaron todos los locales estables y puestos ambulantes de venta de alimentos (LA) y los espacios destinados a la realización de actividad física (AF). Se estimaron las densidades de cada tipo de local por Km2 de superficie del barrio y por cada 10.000 habitantes.Se relevaron 2778 LA y 149 AF. Se observó una mayor densidad en el barrio de Constitución para locales de comidas rápidas (Recoleta 3.6; Almagro 2.4; Constitución 6.7) y Puestos ambulantes (Recoleta 4.2; Almagro 1.2; Constitución 25.7) y menor en AF. Las densidades por habitantes fueron concordantes con las densidades por superficie. Se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las proporciones de despensas, kioscos, verdulerías, bares, restaurantes, puestos ambulantes y en las cantidades totales de LA y AF.La información generada en este estudio podría ser muy útil en la gestión de salud pública para promoción de estilo de vida saludable modificando el ambiente construido para mejorar la equidad en la CABA.

Evaluación del ambiente construido en barrios de diferente nivel socioeconómico de la CABA / [Food environment and space accessibility evaluation to perform physical activity in 3 socially contrasting neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires city].

Due to the environmental influences on health, the goal of this study was to describe and compare the built environment in 3 socially contrasting neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires city.In 2011 a cross-sectional study was conducted in 3 socially contrasting neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires city: Recoleta (upper class), Almagro (middle class) and Constitución (lower class). Grocery stores and food stands were surveyed as well as all suitable spaces to perform physical activity. An analysis was conducted to assess the density of every food outlet per Km2 of each neighbourhood’s area and per 10000 inhabitants. 2778 food stores and 149 outdoor physical activity facilities were surveyed. A higher density was observed in Constitución for fast food restaurants (Recoleta 3.6; Almagro 2.4; Constitución 6.7) and food stands (Recoleta 4.2; Almagro 1.2; Constitución 25.7) and a lower density for outdoor physical activity facilities. Population density and area density proved to be analogous. Statistically relevant differences were observed regarding the dimension of each food outlet: grocery stores, fruit stands, pubs, restaurants and food stands, as well as in the number of food stores and outdoor physical activity facilities. The information gathered in this study could be highly useful for public health policies on healthy lifestyles, and could eventually redefine the built environment in order to improve the city’s equality regarding outdoor physical activity facilities and food stores.

Evaluación del ambiente construido en barrios de diferente nivel socioeconómico de la CABA. / [Food environment and space accessibility evaluation to perform physical activity in 3 socially contrasting neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires city].

Due to the environmental influences on health, the goal of this study was to describe and compare the built environment in 3 socially contrasting neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires city.In 2011 a cross-sectional study was conducted in 3 socially contrasting neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires city: Recoleta (upper class), Almagro (middle class) and Constitución (lower class). Grocery stores and food stands were surveyed as well as all suitable spaces to perform physical activity. An analysis was conducted to assess the density of every food outlet per Km2 of each neighbourhoods area and per 10000 inhabitants. 2778 food stores and 149 outdoor physical activity facilities were surveyed. A higher density was observed in Constitución for fast food restaurants (Recoleta 3.6; Almagro 2.4; Constitución 6.7) and food stands (Recoleta 4.2; Almagro 1.2; Constitución 25.7) and a lower density for outdoor physical activity facilities. Population density and area density proved to be analogous. Statistically relevant differences were observed regarding the dimension of each food outlet: grocery stores, fruit stands, pubs, restaurants and food stands, as well as in the number of food stores and outdoor physical activity facilities. The information gathered in this study could be highly useful for public health policies on healthy lifestyles, and could eventually redefine the built environment in order to improve the citys equality regarding outdoor physical activity facilities and food stores.