Food availability and food insecurity in households in the state of Tocantins, Northern Brazil

Eloise Schott,Silvia Eloiza Priore,Fabiane Aparecida Canaan Rezende,Andréia Queiroz Ribeiro,Sylvia Do Carmo Castro Franceschini

doi:10.1590/1678-9865202033e200100

Eloise Schott, Silvia Eloiza Priore + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-9865202033e200100

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the relationship between food availability, food insecurity and socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of households in the urban area of the state of Tocantins. Methods Population-based, cross-sectional study conducted in 594 households in the urban area of 22 municipalities in the state of Tocantins. A survey was carried out in the households, to collect socioeconomic and data, and assess food insecurity using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. Further a food availability questionnaire was applied by the interviewer with the head of the family, who reported on the food and drinks available at home in the last 30 days. The description of the food available in the households resulted in a total of 142 food items that were grouped according to the NOVA classification of foods. demographic Results It was found that 63.3% of households were in a situation of food insecurity. The median caloric availability found was 2,771.4kcal/per capita/day, with the largest caloric contribution coming from fresh and minimally processed foods, regardless of the degree of food insecurity. Food availability was affected by socioeconomic vulnerability and the situation of food insecurity in the families.

Highlights

In Brazil, Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) is defined as the realization of the right of everyone to have regular and permanent access to quality food, in sufficient quantity, without impairing access to other essential needs, based on dietary practices that promote health, respect cultural diversity and are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable [1]
It was found that 63.3% of households were in a situation of food insecurity
Due to the importance of household food availability in the framework of food security, as well as the effects of food processing on food quality and human health, this study aims to assess the relationship between food availability and the socioeconomic, demographic and food insecurity of families living in the urban areas of the State of Tocantins

Summary

Introduction

In Brazil, Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) is defined as the realization of the right of everyone to have regular and permanent access to quality food, in sufficient quantity, without impairing access to other essential needs, based on dietary practices that promote health, respect cultural diversity and are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable [1]. Food and nutrition security encompasses four dimensions: availability, access, use of food and nutrients and stability, considering their interrelationships [2,3]. When any of these elements is infringed, a situation of food and nutritional insecurity is characterized preventing materialization of the human right to Have Access to Adequate Food (HRAF) [4,5]. In this connection, in Brazil, several public policies and FNS actions are being developed aiming at the integration of different areas, such as health, agricultural production, food supply, job and income generation, food education and actions to expand access to food [3]. Studies about the availability of food at home are essential to assess food and nutritional insecurity, given its multifactorial characteristics, and since the foods available at home are an indication of the family’s consumption, just like the biological, psychological, psychosocial, economic factors, among others that influence the food choices of individuals [7,8,9]

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