Food insecurity and eating practices of families of elementary school students in municipalities in the south of Minas Gerais during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Main Author: Avelar, Bruna Aparecida
• Publication Date: 2024
• Other Authors: Santos, Rayane Oliveira, Pereira, Rafaela Corrêa, Angelis-Pereira, Michel Cardoso de
• Format: Article
• Language: por
• Source: Revista Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (Online)
• Download full: https://periodicos.sbu.unicamp.br/ojs/index.php/san/article/view/8673845
• topic: Seguridad alimenticia; SARS-CoV-2; Políticas públicas; Food safety; SARS-CoV-2; Public policies; Segurança alimentar; SARS-CoV-2; Políticas públicas

Introduction: COVID-19 led to changes in the lifestyle of the population, including unemployment and restriction of social activities as a result of social isolation, which might have impacted people’s situation of food insecurity and eating habits. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate situations of Food Insecurity and characterize the eating practices of families of students from public educational institutions during a pandemic period. Methods: Guardians of elementary school children from municipalities in the south of Minas Gerais were recruited from October to November 2020. The questionnaires were sent via messaging applications, containing questions about eating practices, Food Insecurity and socioeconomic data. Descriptive analyzes and chi-square test were performed. Results: The results obtained demonstrate that 65.4% reported being in a situation of Food Insecurity. Analyzing their eating practices, a large proportion consumed sugary drinks and lacked fruit for breakfast and snacks. Regarding food, they said they ate calmly and did not go to fast food. Discussion: The high percentage of the sample in food insecurity and the reported eating practices highlight the need for greater monitoring of situations in food insecurity and to encourage the adoption of more appropriate, healthy and sustainable eating practices, due to the impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be achieved through food and nutritional education actions.