Is food environment associated with body mass index, overweight and obesity? A study with adults and elderly subjects from southern Brazil

The purpose of this article was to investigate the association of food environment variables with Body Mass Index (BMI), excess weight and obesity. This was a cross-sectional study determining the presence or absence of food establishments within a 100-m buffer zone from each sampled household. Individuals aged 18 years and older living in the urban area of Rio Grande, RS State, Brazil, in 2016, were considered eligible. A total of 1,139 individuals, with an average age of 46.5 years (SD 17.1), residing in the household for more than one year, were selected as a representative sample of the population. The mean BMI of study participants was 27.0 kg/m(2) (SD 4.8), and the prevalence of excess weight and obesity was 61.6% (95%CI: 58.9; 64.3) and 23.7% (95%CI: 21.3; 26.1), respectively. Living near a convenience store was associated with a higher BMI and a higher likelihood of being above normal weight and obese. In contrast, living near a restaurant was associated with a lower BMI and a lower likelihood of being above normal weight and obese. In addition, participants who lived close to fruit shops had lower BMI and a lower likelihood of being above normal weight. Concluding few associations were found between food environment and the health-related outcomes. Proximity to food establishments does not seem to significantly affect BMI, excess weight and obesity in the studied population.