Availability of processed foods in the perimeter of public schools in urban areas

Author(s)

Marrocos Leite, Fernanda Helena ^[1] ; de Oliveira, Maria Aparecida ^[2] ; Cremm, Elena de Carvalho ^[1] ; Costa de Abreu, Debora Silva ^[1] ; Maron, Luana Rieffe ^[3] ; Martins, Paula Andrea ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Inst Saude & Soc, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Saude Publ, BR-09500900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Saude & Soc, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Jornal de Pediatria; v. 88, n. 4, p. 328-334, JUL-AUG 2012.
• Web of Science Citations: 18

Abstract

Objective: To assess the availability of food in relation to their degree of industrial processing and the types of food stores in the perimeters of elementary schools. Method: This is a cross-sectional study. 82 food stores located within a 500 m radius buffer of three public schools located in three distinct regions with different socioeconomic levels in the municipality of Santos, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, were assessed. All streets within a 500-meter radius of the schools were covered, geographic coordinates were recorded and information about the stores and food items available were collected by direct observation and interview with store managers. Available food items were classified in relation to their degree of industrial processing as ultra-processed foods and minimally processed foods. Kernel's density maps were used to assess the degree of agglomeration of stores near the schools. Results: The stores that offered mostly ultra-processed foods were significantly closer to schools than those who offered mostly minimally processed foods. There was a significant difference between the availability of processed food in different types of stores and between the three regions assessed. Conclusions: The data found by this work evidences that children who attend the three public schools assessed are exposed to an environment that encourages the consumption of ultra-processed foods through easier access of these products in the studied stores. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/01361-1 - Nutritional Environment Assessment in the city of Santos, Brazil
• Grantee: Paula Andrea Martins
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/01393-0 - Availability of processed food in the neighborhood of public schools in the city of Santos, Brazil
• Grantee: Fernanda Helena Marrocos Leite Villamarin
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation