Perception of food insecurity among indigenous Guarani communities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Indigenous people in Brazil are divided among 270 ethnic groups. Many live with severe food insecurity (FI), and in some, the prevalence of child malnutrition has been estimated to be up to 50%. This study was based on the validation of the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA), adopted from the US HFSSM. Four Guarani communities in São Paulo were visited from 2007 to 2009 with the aim of understanding concepts of FI and hunger experiences to develop a similar FI measurement appropriate for their context. Food habits, health conditions, and food production were assessed via formal and informal interviews and participant observation. A panel of indigenous health experts provided suggestions for the interviews. Perceptions of FI were explored in group interviews with members of one community. FI is characterized by fear of hunger, not having enough food to share with others, dependence on donations, and lack of access to food that reflects their cultural traditions. Universal dimensions of FI, such as worry about having enough food and insufficient quantity and quality of food, were present, and strategies they described using in the face of FI were somehow similar to the rest of the population. However, more studies are needed in other Guarani and indigenous communities to know how transferable these results are to other indigenous groups.Funded by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development – Brazil.