[Analysis of household expenditures with food in the city of S. Paulo in the 1990's].

OBJECTIVE To identify food consumption patterns in the city of S. Paulo, from 1990 to 1996, and compare these patterns with those derived from nutritionally balanced food baskets (FB). METHODS Household budget surveys were verified and the percentage of food expenditures was assessed according to three food groups: semi-elaborated, industrialized and non-processed food (an emphasis was given to this group). Data on prices to consumer were used to evaluate the relative cost of the products and their influence on household budgets. FB were elaborated using linear programming. RESULTS From 1990 to 1996, there was a relative increase in household expenditures with industrialized foods and a relative decrease with semi-elaborated foods. The percentage of expenditures with non-processed group revealed an important reduction (35%), but these changes cannot be fully explained by variations in products' prices. Results indicated that household consumption patterns differ from those recommended in the FB and the cost of almost all FB was lower than the actual household expenditures with food. CONCLUSIONS An inadequate nutritional consumption in São Paulo's households is probable, which carry the risks associated with an insufficient ingestion of vegetables and fruits.