MULTIDIMENSIONAL PORTRAIT OF FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL INSECURITY OF THE URBAN POPULATION OF THE STATE OF TOCANTINS, BRAZIL

Abstract

This article aims to present a multidimensional portrait of food and nutritional (in)security of the urban population of the state of Tocantins. A cross-sectional. population-based study conducted in the urban area of 22 cities of Tocantins. A total of 596 households were evaluated, divided from a systematic draw proportional to the size of the population. Conducted the survey of information referring to the cities. At home we applied a semi-structured questionnaire to head of the family, to obtain socioeconomic and demographic information, and the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale to assess food insecurity. Also we conducted the assessment of the nutritional status of the residents. The prevalence of food insecurity in the state occurred in 63.4% of the households assessed. Micro-regions with higher prevalence of food insecurity also present worrying conditions regarding social indicators and nutritional status. The factors assessed must be considered in order to understand the determinants and implications of food and nutritional (in)security, identify vulnerable families and to assist in the implementation of local public policies to reduce social inequalities and improvement of food and health conditions of the population.