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.

Social inequities in food deserts and food swamps in a northeastern Brazilian capital.

This study identified food deserts and swamps, investigating their associations with socioeconomic and demographic conditions. This ecological study was conducted using data from urban census tracts in the city of Recife, which were considered the unit of analysis. Information on food retail was obtained from government sources in 2019. Census tracts below the 25th percentile in the density of healthy food retail (i.e., those that predominantly sell natural or minimally processed foods, mixed businesses, and super- and hypermarkets) were classified as food deserts. Census tracts above the 25th percentile in the density of unhealthy food retail (i.e., those selling primarily ultra-processed foods) were considered food swamps. The socioeconomic and demographic conditions of the census tracts were evaluated using variables from the 2010 census (per capita income, average income, race, literacy of the head of household, and the availability of essential services) and the Health Vulnerability Index. Census tracts considered food deserts (28.5%) were more vulnerable, characterized by lower income and access to essential services, more illiterate residents and more minorities (Black/Indigenous/mixed race). Food swamps (73.47%) were more prevalent in less vulnerable neighbourhoods characterized by higher percentages of literate residents and Whites, greater purchasing power, and better basic sanitation. The characteristics of Recife's food deserts and swamps demonstrate social inequalities in the food environment. Public facilities could play a vital role in promoting healthy eating within food deserts. Additionally, future implementation of taxes on ultra-processed foods and the provision of tax subsidies to natural or minimally processed food sellers might contribute to fostering healthier dietary choices.

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.

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.

Social inequities in the food retail patterns around schools in Recife, Brazil.

This study aimed to describe the community food environment surrounding schools and its association with territorial socio-environmental vulnerability in the city with the highest intraurban social inequity index in Brazil. METHODS: this ecological observational study includes data on the presence and type of food retail in a 400 m buffer surrounding public and private schools in Recife. We have also described the Health Vulnerability Index (HVI) of census tracts and conducted multivariate analyses. RESULTS: through factor analysis, we observed two grouping patterns of food retail. The "diverse food outlets" pattern was positively associated with middle HVI (ß 0.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 0.11; 0.16) and higher HVI areas (ß 0.15, 95%CI - 0.11; 0.17), while "the large food retail chains" pattern was inversely associated with middle HVI (ß -0.42, 95% CI - 0.53; -0.30) and high HVI areas (ß -0.32, 95%CI - 0.45; -0.18) and positively associated with private schools (ß 0.15, 95%CI - 0.030; 0.27). CONCLUSION: the greatest variety in food retail is in high HVI areas, and large food retail chains prevail around private schools, especially in low HVI areas.

Social inequities in the food retail patterns around schools in Recife, Brazil / Desigualdades sociais no padrão do varejo de alimentos no entorno de escolas em Recife, Brasil

Abstract This study aimed to describe the community food environment surrounding schools and its association with territorial socio-environmental vulnerability in the city with the highest intraurban social inequity index in Brazil. Methods: this ecological observational study includes data on the presence and type of food retail in a 400 m buffer surrounding public and private schools in Recife. We have also described the Health Vulnerability Index (HVI) of census tracts and conducted multivariate analyses. Results: through factor analysis, we observed two grouping patterns of food retail. The "diverse food outlets" pattern was positively associated with middle HVI (β 0.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 0.11; 0.16) and higher HVI areas (β 0.15, 95%CI - 0.11; 0.17), while "the large food retail chains" pattern was inversely associated with middle HVI (β -0.42, 95% CI - 0.53; -0.30) and high HVI areas (β -0.32, 95%CI - 0.45; -0.18) and positively associated with private schools (β 0.15, 95%CI - 0.030; 0.27). Conclusion: the greatest variety in food retail is in high HVI areas, and large food retail chains prevail around private schools, especially in low HVI areas.

Resumo Este trabalho objetivou descrever o ambiente alimentar comunitário no entorno das escolas e sua associação com a vulnerabilidade socioambiental territorial na cidade com maior índice de desigualdade social intraurbana do Brasil. Métodos: estudo ecológico observacional, inclui dados sobre a presença e o tipo de varejo de alimentos em uma área de 400 m no entorno de escolas públicas e privadas de Recife. Descrevemos o Índice de Vulnerabilidade à Saúde (IVS) dos setores censitários e realizamos análises multivariadas. Resultados: por meio da análise fatorial, observamos dois padrões de agrupamento de estabelecimentos. O padrão "Diversos pontos de venda de alimentos" foi associado positivamente com IVS médio (β 0,14; intervalo de confiança [IC] 95% - 0,11; 0,16) e áreas de IVS mais alto (β 0,15; IC95% - 0,11; 0,17), enquanto o padrão "Grandes redes varejistas de alimentos" foi inversamente associado às áreas de IVS médio (β -0,42; IC95% - 0,53; -0,30) e alto IVS (β -0,32; IC95% - 0,45; -0,18) e positivamente associado com escolas particulares (β 0,15; IC95% - 0,030; 0,27). Conclusão: a maior variedade de estabelecimentos está em áreas de alto IVS, e grandes redes varejistas de alimentos predominam no entorno de escolas particulares, especialmente em áreas de baixo IVS.

Ecological study of the association between socioeconomic inequality and food deserts and swamps around schools in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Previous research suggests that unhealthy community food environments around schools contribute to unhealthy eating habits and negative health outcomes among the youth. However, little is known about how socioeconomic inequalities in those community food environments are associated with food deserts and food swamps across schools' neighborhoods. METHODS: An ecological study was carried out in all 3,159 public and private schools in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Three measures of socioeconomic inequality were evaluated: per capita income, segregation index and deprivation index. The community school food environment was analyzed by metrics of food swamps and food deserts. RESULTS: Food deserts and food swamps were simultaneously more prevalent in neighborhoods of the lowest income, high deprivation, and high segregation. Spatial socioeconomic disparities at the neighborhoods of schools were associated with food deserts and food swamps in Rio de Janeiro. CONCLUSIONS: Our results point to a spatial socioeconomic inequality of establishments that sell food around schools in a Brazilian metropolis, indicating that the areas of greatest deprivation of food services are also the areas with the worst socioeconomic characteristics.

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.

[Community food environment and presence of food swamps around schools in a Brazilian metropolis]. / O ambiente alimentar comunitário e a presença de pântanos alimentares no entorno das escolas de uma metrópole brasileira.

The study aimed to assess the community food environment and the existence of food swamps around schools in a Brazilian metropolis. This was an ecological study in public and private schools in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, with a 250-meter buffer as the analytical unit. The study included all preschool, elementary, and middle schools. In relation to the schools, the study evaluated administrative regimen (public versus private), type of teaching, and per capita income in the schools' census tracts. Information was also compiled on the retail food establishments inside the buffer zone around the schools. The food environment was characterized only according to the establishments around the schools that sold food for immediate consumption. Analysis of the buffers revealed that 97.4% of the schools had at least one establishment in the vicinity that sold food for immediate consumption. The most available establishments around schools were snack bars, restaurants, and bars. Schools located in higher-income census tracts showed higher mean numbers of all establishments in their vicinity, except for grocery stores and supermarkets. In addition, 54.6% of the schools were in neighborhoods classified as food swamps. The results that the among the target categories, there was a predominance of establishments that mainly sell ultra-processed foods such as bars and snack bars in the vicinity of schools in Belo Horizonte, which exposes children and adolescents to an unhealthy food environment.

O objetivo foi avaliar o ambiente alimentar comunitário e a existência de pântanos alimentares no entorno das escolas de uma metrópole brasileira. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico realizado em escolas públicas e privadas de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, e teve como unidade de análise o buffer de 250m. Foram incluídas no estudo todas as escolas de Educação Infantil, de Ensinos Fundamental e Médio. Em relação às escolas, foram avaliadas a dependência administrativa e o tipo de ensino ofertado, bem como a renda per capita dos setores censitários das escolas. Contabilizou-se também as informações sobre os estabelecimentos de venda de alimentos para o consumo imediato que estavam dentro do buffer no entorno das escolas. Em relação ao ambiente alimentar foram avaliados apenas os estabelecimentos que comercializam alimentos para o consumo imediato no entorno escolar. A análise dos buffers revelou que 97,4% das escolas tinham ao menos um desses estabelecimentos no seu entorno. Os estabelecimentos mais disponíveis no entorno da escola foram lanchonetes, restaurantes e bares. As escolas localizadas em setores censitários de maior renda apresentavam maior média de todos os estabelecimentos no seu entorno, exceto das mercearias e supermercados. Ademais, 54,6% das escolas estavam em vizinhanças que são classificados como pântanos alimentares. Os resultados revelam que entre as categorias avaliadas ocorre um predomínio dos estabelecimentos que comercializam, predominantemente, alimentos ultraprocessados, como os bares e lanchonetes no entorno das escolas de Belo Horizonte, o que expõe as crianças e os adolescentes a um ambiente alimentar não saudável.

El objetivo fue evaluar el ambiente alimentario comunitario y la existencia de establecimientos de comida ultraprocesada en el entorno de las escuelas de una metrópoli brasileña. Se trata de un estudio ecológico, realizado en escuelas públicas y privadas de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, y tuvo como unidad de análisis una zona de influencia de 250m. Se incluyeron en el estudio todas las escuelas de educación infantil, enseñanza fundamental y media. En relación con las escuelas, se evaluó la dependencia administrativa y el tipo de enseñanza ofertada, así como la renta per cápita de los sectores censitarios de las escuelas. Se contabilizó también información sobre establecimientos de venta de alimentos para consumo inmediato que estaban dentro de la zona de influencia en el entorno de las escuelas. En relación con el ambiente alimentario, se evaluaron solamente los establecimientos que comercializan alimentos para consumo inmediato en el entorno escolar. El análisis de las zonas de influencia reveló que un 97,4% de las escuelas poseían al menos un establecimiento en su entorno que comercializa alimentos para el consumo inmediato. Los establecimientos más disponibles en el entorno de la escuela fueron cafeterías, restaurantes y bares. Las escuelas localizadas en sectores censitarios de mayor renta presentaban mayor media de todos los establecimientos en su entorno, excepto tiendas de alimentación y supermercados. Además, un 54,6% de las escuelas estaban en vecindarios que se clasifican como zonas con abundancia de locales con comida ultraprocesada. Los resultados revelan que entre las categorías evaluadas se produce un predominio de establecimientos que comercializan, predominantemente, alimentos ultraprocesados, como bares y cafeterías, en el entorno de las escuelas de Belo Horizonte, lo que expone a niños y adolescentes a un ambiente alimentario no saludable.

O ambiente alimentar comunitário e a presença de pântanos alimentares no entorno das escolas de uma metrópole brasileira / Community food environment and presence of food swamps around schools in a Brazilian metropolis / El ambiente alimentario comunitario y la presencia de establecimientos de comida ultraprocesada en el entorno de las escuelas de una metrópoli brasileña

O objetivo foi avaliar o ambiente alimentar comunitário e a existência de pântanos alimentares no entorno das escolas de uma metrópole brasileira. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico realizado em escolas públicas e privadas de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, e teve como unidade de análise o buffer de 250m. Foram incluídas no estudo todas as escolas de Educação Infantil, de Ensinos Fundamental e Médio. Em relação às escolas, foram avaliadas a dependência administrativa e o tipo de ensino ofertado, bem como a renda per capita dos setores censitários das escolas. Contabilizou-se também as informações sobre os estabelecimentos de venda de alimentos para o consumo imediato que estavam dentro do buffer no entorno das escolas. Em relação ao ambiente alimentar foram avaliados apenas os estabelecimentos que comercializam alimentos para o consumo imediato no entorno escolar. A análise dos buffers revelou que 97,4% das escolas tinham ao menos um desses estabelecimentos no seu entorno. Os estabelecimentos mais disponíveis no entorno da escola foram lanchonetes, restaurantes e bares. As escolas localizadas em setores censitários de maior renda apresentavam maior média de todos os estabelecimentos no seu entorno, exceto das mercearias e supermercados. Ademais, 54,6% das escolas estavam em vizinhanças que são classificados como pântanos alimentares. Os resultados revelam que entre as categorias avaliadas ocorre um predomínio dos estabelecimentos que comercializam, predominantemente, alimentos ultraprocessados, como os bares e lanchonetes no entorno das escolas de Belo Horizonte, o que expõe as crianças e os adolescentes a um ambiente alimentar não saudável.

The study aimed to assess the community food environment and the existence of food swamps around schools in a Brazilian metropolis. This was an ecological study in public and private schools in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, with a 250-meter buffer as the analytical unit. The study included all preschool, elementary, and middle schools. In relation to the schools, the study evaluated administrative regimen (public versus private), type of teaching, and per capita income in the schools' census tracts. Information was also compiled on the retail food establishments inside the buffer zone around the schools. The food environment was characterized only according to the establishments around the schools that sold food for immediate consumption. Analysis of the buffers revealed that 97.4% of the schools had at least one establishment in the vicinity that sold food for immediate consumption. The most available establishments around schools were snack bars, restaurants, and bars. Schools located in higher-income census tracts showed higher mean numbers of all establishments in their vicinity, except for grocery stores and supermarkets. In addition, 54.6% of the schools were in neighborhoods classified as food swamps. The results that the among the target categories, there was a predominance of establishments that mainly sell ultra-processed foods such as bars and snack bars in the vicinity of schools in Belo Horizonte, which exposes children and adolescents to an unhealthy food environment.

El objetivo fue evaluar el ambiente alimentario comunitario y la existencia de establecimientos de comida ultraprocesada en el entorno de las escuelas de una metrópoli brasileña. Se trata de un estudio ecológico, realizado en escuelas públicas y privadas de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, y tuvo como unidad de análisis una zona de influencia de 250m. Se incluyeron en el estudio todas las escuelas de educación infantil, enseñanza fundamental y media. En relación con las escuelas, se evaluó la dependencia administrativa y el tipo de enseñanza ofertada, así como la renta per cápita de los sectores censitarios de las escuelas. Se contabilizó también información sobre establecimientos de venta de alimentos para consumo inmediato que estaban dentro de la zona de influencia en el entorno de las escuelas. En relación con el ambiente alimentario, se evaluaron solamente los establecimientos que comercializan alimentos para consumo inmediato en el entorno escolar. El análisis de las zonas de influencia reveló que un 97,4% de las escuelas poseían al menos un establecimiento en su entorno que comercializa alimentos para el consumo inmediato. Los establecimientos más disponibles en el entorno de la escuela fueron cafeterías, restaurantes y bares. Las escuelas localizadas en sectores censitarios de mayor renta presentaban mayor media de todos los establecimientos en su entorno, excepto tiendas de alimentación y supermercados. Además, un 54,6% de las escuelas estaban en vecindarios que se clasifican como zonas con abundancia de locales con comida ultraprocesada. Los resultados revelan que entre las categorías evaluadas se produce un predominio de establecimientos que comercializan, predominantemente, alimentos ultraprocesados, como bares y cafeterías, en el entorno de las escuelas de Belo Horizonte, lo que expone a niños y adolescentes a un ambiente alimentario no saludable.