Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Perceived Nutrition Environment Measures Survey (NEMS-P) translated and adapted for use in Brazil. Design: Validation of the NEMS-P questionnaire. The questionnaires were applied to assess validity and reliability, based on exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach’s α coefficient and intra-class correlation, with a significance level of 95 %. Setting: Brazil. Participants: Adults over 20 years of age diagnosed with hypertension were included in the internal validity and reliability test (n 176) and intra-rater reliability (subsample n 35). Results: Factor analysis obtained satisfactory results. Internal consistency was acceptable for most items, with Cronbach’s α ranging from 0·6 to 0·9. The intra-rater reliability of the subsample was also valid, with intra-class correlation coefficient values ranging from 0·5 to 0·9. Conclusion: This work reveals the usefulness of the instrument to assess the perceived food environment in the Brazilian context, being able to measure what is proposed according to its theoretical model, and reproduces the values when applied to a sample different from its original validation. However, refinement of some questions is suggested. Finally, it demonstrates the possibility of using the entire instrument or each section independently, according to the food environments to be investigated.

Background: Food environments can determine food choices, acting as barriers to or promoters of healthy eating. It is necessary to investigate individuals’ perceptions of those barriers and promoters of healthy eating in the food environment. Methods: This is a qualitative and quantitative study involving patients diagnosed with arterial hypertension. In the quantitative approach, a validated questionnaire for the Brazilian population, the Perceived Nutrition Environment Measures Survey, was used. For the qualitative approach, a talking map was applied in a focus group with guiding questions. Quantitative data were analyzed through simple relative frequency, and qualitative data through reports; subsequently, both were grouped into perceived barriers and facilitators. Results: Participants found high access to ultra-processed foods, strongly influenced by advertising in commercial establishments, as a barrier, as well as barriers related to changes in commensality habits and transformations in food systems. As promoting factors, access to fruits and vegetables was highlighted as favoring healthier food choices. The qualitative findings emphasized the importance of home gardens and foods sourced from family farming. Conclusions: This study found that individuals perceive high access to ultra-processed foods in their food environment, both in financial terms and availability, while reporting low access to fresh foods.

During pregnancy, food consumption is of utmost importance for the health of both the mother and the baby. A diet based on fresh and minimally processed foods, as opposed to ultra-processed foods, is essential to ensure health during pregnancy and postpartum. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between lifestyle habits and food consumption among pregnant Brazilian women. This is a cross-sectional study using data from pregnant women included in the Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance System via Telephone Survey (Vigitel) in 2021. Food consumption, considered the outcome variable, was assessed through a food frequency questionnaire, focusing on consumption from the previous day. The NOVA classification was used to categorize foods as fresh or ultra-processed. The Shapiro-Wilk test was conducted to verify normality, and the Pearson Chi-square test was applied. A significance level of p < 0.05 was adopted. The sample consisted of 90 pregnant women. The analysis revealed a greater association with the consumption of ultra-processed foods among younger pregnant women compared to older age groups (p=0.020), as well as lower consumption of fresh foods (p=0.044). In conclusion, differences in food consumption were evident among pregnant women of different age groups. However, in order to understand the dietary patterns of pregnant women by regions of Brazil, it is necessary to conduct further studies to support programs aimed at the gestational period, reducing adverse effects and promoting maternal and child health.

Introdução: As feiras livres são um segmento de dinâmica de abastecimento alimentar e desempenham significativo papel enquanto ambiente alimentar do consumidor. Objetivo: Apresentar as dinâmicas de abastecimento alimentar das feiras livres dos municípios de Mariana e Ouro Preto-MG, bem como as características sociodemográficas dos feirantes e frequentadores. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado nas feiras livres dos municípios de Mariana e Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, com dados primários. Foram avaliadas sete feiras em relação ao perfil de abastecimento, perfil dos feirantes e dos frequentadores. Foi utilizado o teste Shapiro-Wilk para avaliar a normalidade dos dados e realizada análise descritiva pela média, percentual de prevalência e intervalo de confiança (IC95%). Resultados: Observou-se predominância de feiras convencionais, com comercialização de alimentos orgânicos, maior oferta de frutas e hortaliças em detrimento da comercialização de alimentos ultraprocessados; os feirantes produziam os alimentos comercializados e os frequentadores declararam fazer compras nas feiras semanalmente e frequentavam a feira há mais de 6 meses. Conclusões: As feiras livres fornecem alimentos saudáveis e de qualidade à população, cumprindo assim importante papel no abastecimento alimentar, contribuindo com espaços capazes de promover a Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional por meio de sistemas e ambientes alimentares sustentáveis e saudáveis.

Introdução: A COVID-19 acarretou alterações no estilo de vida da população, entre eles o desemprego e a restrição a atividades sociais em consequência do isolamento social, que possivelmente impactou nas situações de Insegurança Alimentar e nas práticas alimentares dos sujeitos. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar situações de Insegurança Alimentar e caracterizar práticas alimentares de famílias de escolares de instituições públicas de ensino em período de pandemia. Métodos: Foram recrutados responsáveis de crianças do ensino fundamental de municípios do sul de Minas Gerais, no período de outubro a novembro de 2020. Os questionários foram enviados via aplicativos de mensagens, contendo questões sobre Insegurança Alimentar, prátias alimentares e dados socioeconômicos. Foram realizadas análises descritivas e teste de qui-quadrado. Resultados: Os resultados obtidos demonstram que 65,4% estavam em situação de Insegurança Alimentar. Analisando suas práticas alimentares, grande parcela tinha consumo de bebidas açucaradas e ausência de frutas no café da manhã e lanches. Em relação a comensalidade, afirmaram comer com calma e não frequentar fast-foods. Discussão: A alta porcentagem da amostra em insegurança alimentar e as práticas alimentares relatadas ressaltam a necessidade de monitoramento das situações de Insegurança Alimentar e de se estimular a adoção de práticas alimentares mais adequadas, saudáveis e sustentáveis, devido aos impactos ocasionados pela pandemia de COVID-19, o que pode ser conseguido por ações de educação alimentar e nutricional.

Contemporary food systems face growing challenges in simultaneously promoting human health, environmental sustainability, social equity, and cultural adequacy. Although sustainable diets have gained prominence in research and policy, current assessment frameworks remain fragmented and rarely integrate food processing as a structural dimension shaping food system organisation and sustainability outcomes. Nevertheless, growing evidence indicates that ultra-processed foods represent not only negative health outcomes but also a structural expression of modern food systems, with environmental, economic, and sociocultural implications. In this context, this study proposes a theoretical conceptual model, integrating the degree of food processing, based on the Nova food classification, into the dimensions of sustainable diets, structuring evidence on how food processing operates across food system stages and shapes sustainability outcomes. The model was developed through a systematic model-building process, including expert validation using the Delphi technique. The proposed framework illustrates how diets based on unprocessed and minimally processed foods, compared with ultra-processed foods, are associated with distinct sustainability trajectories, including greater support for biodiversity conservation, local food systems, cultural and culinary practices, and higher nutritional quality, while highlighting interactions across food system components. Rather than establishing causal relationships, the model organises existing evidence, identifies key knowledge gaps, and provides an integrative framework to support future empirical research and policy-oriented analyses. By incorporating food processing as a structural characteristic of food systems into the analysis of diet sustainability, the model broadens understanding of contemporary food system challenges and highlights the structural role of ultra-processing in shaping sustainability outcomes, supporting more systematic assessments and informing policies toward more sustainable food systems.