The food environment in favelas is associated with the presence of arterial hypertension and diabetes in socially vulnerable women.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the food environment in favelas and the presence of arterial hypertension and diabetes among women in the context of social vulnerability.

Design: A cross-sectional and partially ecological population-based study was conducted in a Brazilian capital city. The healthiness and availability of ultra-processed foods in the food environment were assessed through retailer audits using the AUDITNOVA instrument. The presence of diabetes and arterial hypertension was evaluated based on self-reported prior medical diagnosis. Logistic regression models were applied using generalised estimating equations, adjusted for age, education, race/skin colour and poverty status.

Participants: 1882 adult women of reproductive age (20-44 years).

Results: It was found that 10·9 % of women were hypertensive and 3·2 % had diabetes. The likelihood of having diabetes and arterial hypertension decreases with higher levels of healthiness in the food environment (diabetes (OR: 0·25; 95 % CI: 0·07, 0·97)/arterial hypertension (OR: 0·45; 95 % CI: 0·24, 0·81)) and increases with greater availability of ultra-processed foods in their living area (diabetes (OR: 2·18; 95 % CI: 1·13, 4·21)/arterial hypertension (OR: 1·64; 95 % CI: 1·09, 2·47)).

Conclusions: These results suggest that characteristics of the consumer food environment have a significant effect on the occurrence of chronic diseases among socially vulnerable women, adding to the existing evidence in the literature and highlighting the need for integrated health care.