HOUSEHOLD FOOD AVAILABILITY | 193 Rev. Nutr., Campinas, 27(2):193-203, mar./abr., 2014 Revista de Nutrição http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1415-52732014000200006 ORIGINAL | ORIGINAL 1 Article based on the dissertation of ALG SOARES intitled “Disponibilidade domiciliar de alimentos uma abordagem do ambiente obesogênico”. Universidade Federal de Pelotas; 2012. 2 Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Faculdade de Medicina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia. R. Marechal Deodoro, 1160, 3º piso, 96020-220, Pelotas, RS, Brasil. Correspondência para/Correspondence to: ALG SOARES. E-mail : <analuiza.nutri@gmail.com>. Support: This study was sponsored by the Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology of the Universidade Federal de Pelotas with funds from the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (AUX-PE PROEX nº 337/2010). Household food availability in Pelotas, Brazil: An approach to assess the obesogenic environment 1 Disponibilidade domiciliar de alimentos em Pelotas (RS): uma abordagem do ambiente obesogênico Ana Luiza Gonçalves SOARES 2 Giovanny Vinícius Araújo de FRANÇA 2 Helen GONÇALVES 2 A B S T R A C T Objective To identify household food availability according to socioeconomic and demographic factors. Methods A cross-sectional, population-based study was carried out in the city of Pelotas, Southern Brazil to determine household food availability in the 30 days that preceded the interview. Availability was considered high when food was “always” or “usually” available at home. The independent variables were: age and education level of the household head, number of household members, presence of children or adolescents, National Wealth Score, and family income. Results Data were collected from 1,555 households. A high availability of fruits and vegetables (80%) was more prevalent than that of soft drinks, processed meats, and sweets (40%). Whole grains and frozen foods were never available in half of the households. High-sugar and high-fat foods were positively related and fruits and whole grains were negatively related to the presence of children or adolescents in the household. National Wealth Score, family income, and age and education level of the household head were associated with household food availability.