Food insecurity and sociodemographic factors in children in São José dos Pinhais, Paraná, Brazil, 2017: cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the association between food insecurity (FI) and sociodemographic factors in children. Methods: Study carried out from May to November 2017 with mothers of children (18 - 35 months) from the public school in São José dos Pinhais, Paraná, Brazil. FI was accessed through Brazilian Household Food Insecurity Measurement Scale. Multinomial logistic regression was used, with a hierarchical model. Results: 395 mothers/children participated. The prevalence of FI was 34.7 (95%CI 28.5;41.5) with 25.7% (95%CI 19.2;32.3) for mild FI (MiFI) and 9.0% (95%CI 8.5;9.4) for moderate/severe FI (MoSFI). Families in the lowest income tercile had a higher chance of MiFI (OR=3.06 – 95%CI 1.26;7.41) or MoSFI (OR=6.35 – 95%CI 1.89;21.4) when compared to the largest tercile. Higher prevalence of MiFI was identified in male children (OR=2.34 – 95%CI 1.49;3.68). Conclusion: AI was associated with lower income and MiFi with male children. Public policies to increase income must be included in AI reduction strategies.