[Mapping strategy for health and wellbeing community assets in the city of Buenos Aires]. / Estrategia de mapeo de activos comunitarios para la salud y el bienestar en la ciudad de Buenos Aires.

Introduction: implementing an asset model in large urban territories is a great challenge. The objective was to develop and evaluate community asset (CA) mapping strategies in a large city. Methods: mixed technique, in phases. At first, community resources (CR) were collected through interviews with key informants, search of information sources and field surveys with university students and community volunteers in some pilot neighborhoods. In the second phase, a mass communication campaign was carried out to disseminate the collaborative virtual map. Assets were validated according to eligibility criteria. Campaign evaluation was carried out through indicators of visualization, interaction and participation. In a third phase, community work in the field was reinforced in different neighborhoods. Results: 1144 CR and CA were identified, all of them validated, classified and grouped into five categories. A month after launching the communication campaign "#MeHaceBienMiBarrio," it had been broadcast in the main media in the country. In just two weeks, 120,383 people had been reached with the news on Facebook, and 9,213 had interacted. By then, the map had more than 23,000 views and 87 new community assets were received. The participation rate fell as diffusion decreased. Discussion: The first stage was positive in terms of dissemination and interaction with the map. Field work is essential to sustain and enhance results.

Introducción: Implementar un modelo de activos en amplios territorios urbanos es un gran desafío. El objetivo fue desarrollar y evaluar estrategias de mapeo de recursos y activos en una gran ciudad. Métodos: técnica mixta, en fases. En la primera, se relevaron recursos con entrevistas a informantes clave, búsqueda en fuentes de información y relevamiento en terreno con alumnos universitarios y voluntarios de la comunidad en algunos barrios piloto. En la segunda fase se realizó una campaña de comunicación masiva para difundir el mapa virtual colaborativo. Se validaron los activos según criterios de elegibilidad. La evaluación de la campaña se realizó mediante indicadores de visualización, interacción y participación. En una tercera fase se reforzará el trabajo comunitario en terreno en distintos barrios. Resultados: se identificaron 1144 recursos y activos, todos ellos validados, clasificados y agrupados en cinco categorías. Al mes de iniciada la campaña de comunicación "#MeHaceBienMiBarrio", se había difundido en los principales medios de comunicación del país. En sólo dos semanas, 120.383 personas habían sido alcanzadas con la noticia en Facebook, y 9.213 habían interactuado. Para entonces, el mapa tenía más de 23.000 visitas y se recibieron 87 nuevos activos de la comunidad. La tasa de participación bajó al bajar la difusión. Discusión: la primera etapa fue positiva en difusión e interacción con el mapa. Es fundamental el trabajo en terreno para sostener y potenciar los resultados.

Distribución de espacios verdes y actividades públicas gratuitas para realizar actividad física en la ciudad de Buenos Aires / Distribution of green spaces and public activities free for physical activity in the city of Buenos Aires

El sedentarismo está aumentando en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA). Es importante estudiar el ambiente construido que promueve la realización de actividad física (AF). Nuestro objetivo fue analizar la distribución del espacio verde (EV) apto para realizar AF, así como la oferta estatal de actividades deportivas gratuitas en la ciudad. Se realizó un estudio ecológico analizando y mapeando datos según fuentes e informes oficiales de CABA para 2015. Hicimos un análisis por número absoluto, superficie, densidad poblacional y valor promedio del metro cuadrado construido por comuna. Además, realizamos un análisis cualitativo según imágenes satelitales de la ciudad. La mediana de espacio verde apto para AF era de 2,6 m2/habitante (rango intercuartílico de 1,0 a 4,6). La menor cantidad estuvo en las comunas céntricas, más densamente pobladas, así como en la mayoría de las de menor valor del terreno (una de estas tenía buena cantidad de EV, pero con un ambiente construido que podría limitar la realización de AF). En cambio, en cuanto a las actividades deportivas gratuitas, a menor valor del terreno había mayor oferta. Estos resultados deben analizarse junto con condiciones ambientales y de seguridad para la planificación integral de la ciudad. (AU)

Sedentary lifestyle is increasing in Buenos Aires City (CABA). It is important to study the built environment that promotes physical activity (PA). Our objective was to analyze the distribution of the green spaces or urban open spaces (GS) suitable for PA, as well as the state offer of free sports activities in the city. We did an ecological study, analyzing and mapping data according to sources and official reports of CABA for 2015. We performed analyses by absolute number, area, population density and average value of the built squared meter for each district (comuna). In addition, we did a qualitative analysis according to satellite images of the city. The median of green space suitable for PA was 2.6 m2 / inhabitant (interquartile range 1.0 to 4.6). The smallest amount was in the central districts, more densely populated, as well as in most of the lower landvalue ones (one of these had a good amount of GS, but with a built environment that could limit the practice of PA). In contrast, regarding free sports activities, the lower the value of the land, the greater the state offer. These results must be analyzed along with environmental and safety conditions for an integral planning of the city. (AU)

Evaluación de la oferta de alimentos libres de gluten en locales de comida elaborada en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune enteropathy. The only known treatment consists of a permanent adherence to a strict gluten-free diet, which represents an important challenge for patients. Objective. To describe the gluten-free processed food offer in food locals from 3 neighborhoods representative of high, middle and low economic status in Buenos Aires, Argentina. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Specially trained monitors performed a standardized direct assessment of food locals. Whenever direct observation was not possible, we interviewed the personnel as an indirect assessment. We classified dish offer in different categories, and evaluated the processes of food elaboration, storage and distribution. RESULTS: We included 112 food locals. Results for neighborhoods representative of high, middle and low economic status were, respectively: no gluten free dish available in 27.5% (45/62), 27.0% (27/37) and 30.8% (9/13), (p = 0.96); adequate elaboration in 17.7%, 13.5% and 7.7%, (p = 0.61); appropriate food storage in 12.9% (8), 13.5% (5) and 7.7% (1); (p = 0.85); adequate distribution in 8.1%, 8.1% and 0% (0), (p = 0.56). Conclusion. In 1 out of 4 food locals there was not even one gluten free dish. In addition, there was a lack of compliance with safety measures to avoid gluten cross-contamination.

[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 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.

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.