Disparities in food consumption between economically segregated urban neighbourhoods.

objectiveTo examine associations between economic residential segregation and prevalence of healthy and unhealthy eating markers.

designCross-sectional. A stratified sample was selected in a three-stage process. Prevalence of eating markers and their 95 % CI were estimated according to economic residential segregation: high (most segregated); medium (integrated) and low (less segregated or integrated). Segregation was measured at the census tract and assessed using the Getis-Ord local $G_i^{\rm{\ast}}$ statistic based on the proportion of heads of household in a neighbourhood earning a monthly income of 0-3 minimum wages. Binary logistic regression using generalized estimating equations were used to model the associations.

settingBelo Horizonte, Brazil.

participantsAdults (n 1301) residing in the geographical environment (178 census tracts) of ten units of the Brazilian primary-care service known as the Health Academy Program.

resultsOf the 1301 participants, 27·7 % lived in highly segregated neighbourhoods, where prevalence of regular consumption of fruit was lower compared with more affluent areas (34·6 v. 53·2 %, respectively). Likewise, regular consumption of vegetables (70·1 v. 87·6 %), fish (23·6 v. 42·3 %) and replacement of lunch or dinner with snacks (0·8 v. 4·7 %) were lower in comparison to more affluent areas. In contrast, regular consumption of beans was higher (91·0 v. 79·5 %). The associations of high-segregated neighbourhood with consumption of vegetables (OR = 0·62; 95 % CI 0·39, 0·98) and beans (OR = 1·85; 95 % CI 1·07, 3·19) remained significant after adjustments.

conclusionsEconomic residential segregation was associated with healthy eating markers even after adjustments for individual-level factors and perceived food environment.