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The prevalence of overweight in Brazilian adults has grown in recent years. There is evidence indicating that environmental factors, especially social characteristics, may be involved in the aetiology of overweight, but few studies have investigated this association adequately. The main objective of this study was to identify residents' perception of their social environment (social cohesion, security and violence) and assess its relationship with overweight in a central area of Porto Alegre, Brazil. The associations between socioeconomic characteristics and social environment perception were also explored. This cross-sectional study conducted in 2018-19 had 400 participants aged from 20 to 70 years living in low- and high-income areas of the city of Porto Alegre. Participants' perception of social cohesion, security and violence were evaluated using a validated questionnaire. Participants' body mass index (BMI) was measured, and those with a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 were considered to be overweight. Unadjusted and adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated through Poisson regression analysis; level of significance was 5%. The prevalence of overweight in the sample was 68.8% (95% CI 64.0-73.2). Individuals with a more positive social cohesion perception had a higher prevalence of overweight (PR 1.06; 95% CI: 1.00-1.12; p=0.02) than those with a less positive perception. Brown individuals also had a higher prevalence of overweight (PR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.02-1.15; p=0.03) than those of other skin colour/race. No association was found between overweight and perception of security or violence. Therefore, social cohesion may be an important factor in overweight and the findings highlight the importance of considering social factors, and their perceptions, when planning actions for the prevention and control of overweight in a population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between dietary patterns and demographic and socioeconomic factors and the food environment among adults and older persons in a city in the south of Brazil. We conducted a cross-sectional study with people of both sexes aged between 20 and 70 years. Dietary patterns were identified using principal component analysis. Poisson regression was used to estimate crude and adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Four dietary patterns were identified: Healthy; Traditional; Refined Carbs and Sugars; and Fast Food. Positive associations were found between being female and higher income and the Healthy dietary pattern; being black or brown and living in a household with at least six members and the Traditional and Refined Carbs and Sugars patterns; and higher education and the fast-food dietary pattern. Having main meals at home was associated with the Traditional pattern and having lunch or dinner away from home was the associated with Refined Carbs and Sugars and fast-food patterns. Lower socioeconomic status leads to higher consumption of the Traditional and/or Refined Carbs and Sugars dietary patterns, while higher socioeconomic status appears to enable individuals to choose between healthy or fast-food patterns.