Is the local food environment associated with excess body weight in adolescents in São Paulo, Brazil?

Abstract

The obesogenic environment stimulates an inadequate diet by hampering healthy choices. This cross-sectional study evaluated the association between the local food environment and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a representative sample population of adolescents living in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, using multilevel logistic regression models. Among the adolescents, 29.6% were overweight/obese. There were no significant differences between food environment and adolescents' weight status. However, the presence of fast food restaurants near their home increased the chances of being overweight or obese (OR = 2.53; 95%CI: 1.02-6.27). Results suggest the need to intensify food and nutrition policies, development of culinary skills, and the reduction in prices of healthy foods to facilitate access to these foods, so that adolescents have options in locations to socialize with friends and family.