Food environment and fruit and vegetable intake in a urban population: A multilevel analysis

• DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-2277-1
• Publication Date: 2015-10-05T13:24:39Z
• Authors: Milene Cristine P...; Larissa Loures Me...; Crizian Saar Gomes; Paula Andréa Martins; Gustavo Velasquez...
• Keywords: Biostatistics; Consumption

Environmental, social and individual factors influence eating patterns, which in turn affect the risk of many chronic diseases. This study aimed to estimate associations between environmental consumption fruit vegetables among adults a Brazilian urban context. Data from surveillance system for diseases (VIGITEL) Ministry Health were used. A cross-sectional telephone survey (VIGITEL – 2008–2010) was carried out with 5826 area Belo Horizonte. Individual variables collected. The frequency assessed number servings, weekly an intake score calculated. Georeferenced used characterize food environment. density healthy outlets (stores specialized selling vegetables), unhealthy (bars, snack bars trucks/trailers) neighborhood family income investigated associated score. Weighted multilevel linear regression evaluate environment Higher scores observed neighborhoods higher income. Lower outlets. These adjusted by such as gender, age, physical activity, sugar sweetened beverages consumption, education level smoking. might explain some socioeconomic disparities respect health outcomes. Healthy stores are less common socially disadvantaged neighborhoods, therefore, foods fruits available or lower quality areas. Food characteristics had significant vegetable initial findings that require further investigation within middle world populations role both acquisition intake.