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Consumer food environments change over a 5-year period
Patrícia Pinheiro de Freitas1, Mariana Souza Lopes2, Mariana Carvalho de Menezes3
1Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Public Health Nutrition
|October 3, 2024
Summary
Over five years, the food environment near Brazilian primary healthcare services saw increased fruit and vegetable availability but also more ultra-processed food advertising. Policies are needed to support healthy food retailers.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
- Health Promotion
Background:
- The food environment significantly influences dietary choices and health outcomes.
- Understanding changes in the food environment is crucial for effective public health interventions.
- Primary healthcare services play a role in shaping community health environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess 5-year changes in the consumer food environment surrounding primary healthcare services in Brazil.
- To evaluate if these changes favor healthier eating habits over time.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study was conducted in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
- Food stores and markets selling fruits and vegetables were surveyed in 2013 and 2018.
- Changes in food availability, variety, quality, advertising, and the Healthy Food Store Index were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Fruit diversity increased by 13.4%, and vegetable variety/quality by 16.1% and 12.5%, respectively.
- Availability of corn snacks rose by 13.5%, alongside increased advertising for both fruits/vegetables and ultra-processed foods.
- Supermarkets improved in the Healthy Food Store Index, while fruit/vegetable stores declined.
Conclusions:
- Changes in the food environment were unequal across different store types.
- Policies promoting healthy food environments and supporting traditional healthy food retailers are essential.
- Interventions should consider the diverse impacts on food accessibility and consumer choices.
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