The influence of the supermarkets on the availability and price of ultra-processed food and drink products consumed in Brazil.

Author(s)

Priscila Pereira Machado

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP/CIR)
• Defense date: 2016-07-04

Examining board members

Renata Bertazzi Levy; Patrícia Constante Jaime; Rosely Sichieri

• Advisor: Renata Bertazzi Levy

Abstract

Introduction: Sales and consumption of ultra-processed products have risen in parallel with the global increase in obesity and the replacement of traditional food stores by supermarkets. However, there is no consensus in the literature about how food purchasing sites influence the consumption of ultra-processed products, especially with the rise in the existence of large supermarket chains. Objective: To evaluate the influence of supermarkets on the acquisition of ultra-processed foods and drink products in Brazil. Methods: We analyzed data from the national representative 2008-2009 Household Budget Survey on a probabilistic sample of 55,970 households. Foods and drinks were grouped into four groups according to a food classification based on the extent and purpose of food processing. Food purchasing sites were grouped into nine categories according to physical characteristics and nature of the main products available. We calculated the percentual contribution of each food purchasing site category to the total caloric acquisition, according to the regional and socioeconomic characteristics, to the total caloric acquisition of each food group and according to quintiles of consumption of ultra-processed products. Exploratory factorial analysis was conducted to identify a pattern of food purchasing sites in Brazil. Linear regression model was performed to estimate the relationship between the purchasing pattern and the caloric contribution of ultra-processed products to the diet. We obtained the mean cost of ultra-processed and of all other foods, expressed in R$/1,000 kcal, and the relative prices (by dividing the mean cost of ultra-processed products by the mean cost of the rest of the diet) in supermarkets and other sites. The influence of ultra-processed food prices on purchases made in supermarkets was studied using log-linear regression analysis, to estimate price elasticity coefficients. Results: Supermarkets contributed with 59 per cent of calories acquired and they accounted for most of the acquisition of the three food groups. Further, 60.4 per cent of the calories of ultra-processed products available for consumption in households came from supermarkets. The greatest number of ultra-processed food purchases was made in urban regions in the country and by those who were in the higher income quintile. The purchase participation of supermarkets tended to increase with increased consumption of ultra-processed products. The food purchase sites pattern that was negative for purchasing in supermarkets, bakeries and bars/cafeterias/restaurants and positive for the other traditional retail formats was associated with smaller participation of ultra-processed products in the diet. The caloric share of ultra-processed products in supermarkets was 25 per cent higher in comparison to other sites, whereas their price relative to the rest of the diet was 15 per cent lower. An 1 per cent increase in the price of ultra-processed products led to a 0.61 per cent reduction on the purchases in the supermarket. The elasticity of convenience, expressed by the acquisition of several products in the same place, showed =1.83 (p<0.001), indicating a significantly effect of this variable to the acquisition of ultra-processed products in supermarket. Conclusions: Food policies and interventions aiming to reduce the consumption of ultra-processed products should consider the influence of concentration of purchases in supermarkets, seeking to improve the retail environment and the democratization of the food supply system. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/26737-2 - Impact of supermarkets on availability and price of processed and ultra-processed food products consumed in Brazil
• Grantee: Priscila Pereira Machado
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master