(P20-030-24) Perceptions About the Obesogenic Level of Food Environments in Two Chilean Neighborhoods of Different Socioeconomic Levels

Objectives: To compare the perceived obesogenic level of food environments (FE) of two neighborhoods of different socioeconomic levels.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Santiago, Chile. Adults over 18 years old were randomly selected from two neighborhoods of different socioeconomic status (high status, n=397; low status, n=388) and responded to an abbreviated version of the Nutritional Environmental Measures Perception Survey (NEMS-P), previously adapted and validated for Chile (NEMS-P-Ch). Based on the Chilean Food Environments Model, perceptions of 5 EFs were assessed: Home, Street, Restaurant (on-site or take-away food), Organizational (work or study place), and Supply (supermarkets, corner stores, farmers' market, and others). A score was calculated to define the obesogenic level of each EF. Negative scores indicate a higher obesogenic level.

Results: The Home FE was perceived as non-obesogenic in both neighborhoods. However, the Home FE was perceived slightly more negatively in the low socioeconomic neighborhood (18 vs 21 pts., p=.012). The supplying FE was perceived as more obesogenic in the low socioeconomic neighborhood (-1 vs 4 pts., p< .001). Participants from the high socioeconomic neighborhood used the Restaurant FE more (82.6% vs. 49%). However, this FE was perceived as more obesogenic in the low socioeconomic neighborhood than in the counterpart (-3 vs. 1 pts., p< .001). The Street FE was perceived as obesogenic in both neighborhoods (-4 pts). The proportion of participants who worked or studied was similar (52% vs. 50% in low and high neighborhoods, respectively). No differences were found in the Organizational FE between neighborhoods (4 pts in both).

Conclusions: Most FEs were perceived as more obesogenic in the low socioeconomic neighborhood. Local and national public policies should favor healthier food environments in these neighborhoods. The Home FE was perceived as non-obesogenic despite the Supplying FE tended to be at the lower scores (meaning higher obesogenic level). Due to its obesogenic level, the Street FE should be a major concern in both neighborhoods.

Funding Sources: This study was funded by the Chilean National Agency of Research and Development (ANID) through their Fondecyt Regular Program.