Abstract
Background
Food security is defined by law, and refers to access to quality food in enough quantity.
Objective
To evaluate food insecurity and its relation to the economic class, income transfer program and nutritional status of rural school students.
Method
A cross-sectional study conducted with rural school students using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Measurement Scale and the socioeconomic classification of the Brazilian Association of Research Companies. Nutritional status was evaluated through the Body Mass and Height Index according to age.
Results
A total of 121 families with 157 children and adolescents were evaluated. Of these, 57.9% were under food insecurity and 46.3% were beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família Program. The lowest socioeconomic classes were associated with food insecurity (p<0.0001). Families participating in the Bolsa Família Program presented higher prevalence of food insecurity (p<0.0001). Regarding nutritional status, high obesity rates were found in children (19.7%) and adolescents (22.9%).
Conclusion
The rural families evaluated presented high prevalence of food insecurity associated with lower socioeconomic class and participation in the Bolsa Família Program.
Keywords:
food insecurity; rural population; nutritional status; socioeconomic conditions