Author:

• Ingrid Werneck Linhares - Linhares, I.W - <ingridwerneck@gmail.com>
ORCID: 0000-0002-0628-1339

Co-author(s):

• Paula Martins Horta - Horta, PM - <paulamhorta@gmail.com>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1848-6470
• Ariene Silva do Carmo - Carmo, AS - <arienecarmo@gmail.com>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3421-9495
• Luana Lara Rocha - Rocha, L.L - <luanalararocha@gmail.com>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5963-6033
• Mariana Jardim - Jardim, M - <zogbij@gmail.com>
ORCID: 0000-0003-3740-4183
• Larissa Loures Mendes - Mendes, LL - <larissa.mendesloures@gmail.com>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0031-3862

Abstract:

Objective: To assess the food environment and food swamps around schools in a large
Brazilian city.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Betim, Minas Gerais, with public and private schools and establishments that sold food for immediate consumption in 2019. The assessment of the food environment considered Euclidean buffers of 250 meters around the schools, and buffers whose total number of establishments selling predominantly ultra-processed foods was equal to or greater than four were classified as food swamps.
Results: There was a greater availability of restaurants, bars, snack bars, and candy retailers around schools in the highest-income tercile. In the vicinity of schools in the lowest-income tercile, there were more mini-markets and grocery stores. The prevalence of schools located in food swamps was 52.7%. The prevalence of establishments selling predominantly ultra-processed foods was 3.15 times higher in higher-income areas.
Conclusion: Establishments offering ultra-processed foods are widely available Around schools, favoring children's consumption of unhealthy foods. Legal provisions are, therefore, needed to regulate the sale of food in and around schools.

Keywords:

food environment, schools, food swamps.

Content:

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