Food security in families with children attending public daycare centers in the State of Paraíba, Brazil

• Autor(a) principal: FIGUEROA PEDRAZA, Dixis
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Outros Autores: de QUEIROZ, Daiane, Nobre de MENEZES, Tarciana
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Revista de Nutrição
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.puc-campinas.edu.br/nutricao/article/view/8516
• topic: Child day care centers; Child; Nutritional status; Socioeconomic factors; Food insecurity; Prevalence; Creches; Criança; Estado nutricional; Fatores socioeconômicos; Insegurança alimentar; Prevalência

ObjectiveThis work aims to evaluate the prevalence of food insecurity and associated factors in families with children enrolled in daycare centers. MethodsThis cross-sectional study collected data on the family’s food security and socioeconomic statuses, nutritional status of the children, and mother and child characteristics. A sample size of 365 individuals was calculated by procedure for describing the proportion. The children’s nutritional status was determined by analyzing their height-for-age, weight-for-height, and weight-for-age. Food (in)security was determined by the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. The association between the independent and dependent variables was estimated by the Chi-square test and multivariate model. ResultsMost families (62.0%) experienced food insecurity, especially mild food insecurity (33.4%). The variables ‘family per capita income’, welfare (Bolsa Família Program) status, and total exclusive and nonexclusive breastfeeding time were inversely associated with food insecurity. ConclusionThe indicator that best distinguished food insecurity was family per capita income, suggesting poor access to food and the importance of targeted welfare.