[Social inequalities in food access: an assessment based on patterns of food purchase locations in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil].

This study aimed to evaluate the use of food purchase locations and their association with social inequalities. This cross-sectional study was based on a representative sample of 1,855 households in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The use of food purchase locations was assessed using a questionnaire and classified according to the type of food retail outlet. Social profile was defined based on information about the head of household. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between educational attainment and types of food purchase locations. Over two-thirds of households reported supermarkets (97.5%) and outlets selling fresh or minimally processed foods (80.6%) as their main food purchasing establishments. Lower educational attainment of the head of household (OR = 2.1; 95%CI: 1.3-3.4) and lack of paid employment (OR = 1.38; 95%CI: 1.24-2.28) were significantly associated with greater purchasing from outlets selling fresh or minimally processed foods. As protective factors, severe levels of food insecurity (OR = 0.3; 95%CI: 0.2-0.7), lack of paid employment (OR = 0.60; 95%CI: 0.5-08), and the educational attainment of the head of household (5-11 years; OR = 0.55; 95%CI: 0.33-0.93) were associated with lower purchasing at supermarkets, small grocery stores, and outlets selling ultra-processed foods, respectively. Changes in the food environment may help ensure the human right to adequate food by improving access to healthy foods, as its realization depends on equitable and sustainable food supply systems for the population.