SOCIOECONOMIC PROFILE AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF SCHOOLCHILDREN CONCERNING FOOD (IN)SECURITY IN A SEMI-ARID REGION OF NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the socioeconomic profile and nutritional status of schoolchildren concerning food (in)security in a semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted with children from five municipal schools of Piauí state in the period from January to May 2011. We used a structured questionnaire, the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale, which classifies the situation of families as Food Security (FS) or Insecurity (FI); the latter is sub-classified in three different levels of insecurity: Mild, Moderate or Severe. The data were subjected to statistical analysis on STATA software v. 9.0 using Chi-square association tests and Fischer's exact test, with a significant p value ≤0.05. Results: Among the surveyed families, those with lower incomes lived in the countryside and had a family income below the minimum wage (as of 2012). There was a prevalence of overweight and obesity over malnutrition. A total of 79.0% of the schoolchildren showed FI, with higher prevalence of mild FI (41.9%). There was a statistically significant association between food insecurity and the variable “location” where the children lived and their “age” (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The high levels of food insecurity outweigh the literature findings, thus leading to the risk of health issues in the population. This highlights the need for restructuring the food and nutrition security policy in the city, in order to provide families with effective assistance. DESCRIPTORS Food insecurity. Preschool. Feeding Behavior.