A methodological proposal for assessing food insecurity from a multidimensional perspective

Cien Saude Colet. 2022 Jul;27(7):2855-2866. doi: 10.1590/1413-81232022277.11752021. Epub 2022 Jan 7.
[Article in Portuguese, English]

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a methodological proposal for the assessment of food and nutritional insecurity (FNiS) in adults and older adults (Vigi-FNiS). The proposal was developed using data from the BRAZUCA Natal survey, a cross-sectional study with 411 people living in Natal in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The association between sociodemographic, health and nutrition variables and food insecurity (FI) was tested using Poisson multiple regression. Overall prevalence of FI was 42.1% (37.4%-46.9%) and was higher in women (47.5%), adults (48.2%) and black people (52.7%). The following variables were included in the Vigi-FNiS: people aged <18 years living in the household (A) (AdjPR=1.3; 1.1-1.6); family income (B) in quintiles (Q1: AdjPR=5, 4; 2.5-11.7; Q2: AdjPR=4.8; 2.2-10.5; Q3: AdjPR=3.8; 1.8-8.5; Q4 AdjPR=2.2; 1.0-5.1); inadequate treatment of drinking water (C) (AdjPR=1.3; 1.1-1.5); presence of chronic non-communicable diseases (D) (AdjPR=1.3; 1.1-1.7); not eating fruit for breakfast (E) (AdjPR=1.7; 1.3-2.5);eating meals on the couch or in bed (F) (AdjPR=1.3; 1.1-1.6); and skipping either lunch or dinner or dinner (G) (AdjPR=1.4; 1.2-1.7). A cutoff point for FNiS of 2.3 was adopted (Kappa=0.47; sensitivity=0.82; specificity=0.67; PPV=0.64; NPV=0.83).

O objetivo deste artigo é desenvolver uma proposta metodológica para avaliar a insegurança alimentar e nutricional (INSAN) em adultos e idosos. A proposta metodológica Vigi-INSAN foi elaborada com dados do Brazuca Natal, um estudo transversal com 411 residentes de Natal-RN. O modelo preditivo foi desenvolvido por regressão múltipla de Poisson, analisando-se as variáveis sociodemográficas, de saúde e nutrição, e a insegurança alimentar (IA). A prevalência de IA foi 42,1% (37,4%-46,9%), sendo maior em mulheres (47,5%), adultos (48,2%) e pessoas de cor/raça preta (52,7%). O Vigi-INSAN foi composto por: presença de <18 anos no domicílio (A) (RPaj=1,3; 1,1-1,6), renda familiar (B) (em quintis) (Q1: RPaj=5,4; 2,5-11,7; Q2: RPaj=4,8; 2,2-10,5; Q3: RPaj=3,8; 1,8-8,5; Q4 RPaj=2,2; 1,0-5,1), tratamento inadequado da água de beber (C) (RPaj=1,3; 1,1-1,5), presença de DCNT (D) (RPaj=1,3; 1,1-1,7), não comer frutas no café da manhã (E) (RPaj=1,7; 1,3-2,5), realizar refeições no sofá da sala ou na cama (F) (RPaj=1,3; 1,1-1,6) e pular pelo menos o almoço ou o jantar (G) (RPaj=1,4; 1,2-1,7). Foi adotado o ponto de corte 2,3 (Kappa=0,47; Sensibilidade=0,82; Especificidade=0,67; VPP=0,64; VPN=0,83).

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Breakfast*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Food Insecurity
  • Food Supply
  • Humans
  • Meals*
  • Nutritional Status