Spatial distribution of commercial food establishments in a Northern State of Brazil: do we have food deserts and swamps?

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the spatial distribution of commercial food establishments in the state of Tocantins, in order to identify the presence of food deserts and swamps and its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics. Methods The present study is an ecological (observational) study of secondary state data. Sociodemographic and stablishment data were extracted from open government databases. After extracting the data, establishments were filtered according to CNAE, and a total of 4.202 establishments were distributed in 139 municipalities in the state of Tocantins. Each establishment was classified as unprocessed, mixed or ultra-processed. Since there is a high number of small-sized I municipalities, the density data of both types of establishments, associated relationships were calculated per 1000 inhabitants and then divided into quartiles. Lastly, maps were constructed for included establishments, using the QGIS software. Results In the north of the state, a tendency towards spatial clustering of municipalities in the first quartile of the distribution of healthy establishments was observed, indicating food deserts. Food deserts are spread across the whole territory of Tocantins, but food swamps are absent. Conclusion This study suggests that food deserts are present in Tocantins and food swamps could not be found, despite unhealthy stablishments being concentrated along BR highway 153.