Banca de DEFESA: EMERSON BATISTA DE SOUTO

Uma banca de DEFESA de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : EMERSON BATISTA DE SOUTO
DATE: 20/04/2026
TIME: 13:30
LOCAL: Departamento de Nutrição
TITLE:

Food insecurity and consumption of foods and nutrients in a low-income population in Rio Grande do Norte

KEY WORDS:

Food Insecurity; Food Intake; Health Policies.

PAGES: 70
BIG AREA: Ciências da Saúde
AREA: Nutrição
SUMMARY:

Food insecurity (FI) compromises regular access to adequate food and tends to be concentrated in socially vulnerable groups. This dissertation assessed the relationship between FNI and food and nutrient intake among low-income adults receiving care at Social Assistance Reference Centers (CRAS) in Rio Grande do Norte. An observational, cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted using multistage probabilistic sampling, including 117 participants aged 18 years or older who were living in poverty/extreme poverty (monthly income ≤ BRL 486.00) or were beneficiaries of a cash transfer program. Data were collected in 2024 and included a sociodemographic and economic questionnaire, the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA), a 24-hour dietary recall, anthropometric measurements, and food classification according to NOVA. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were used, with a 5% significance level. The sample was predominantly female (94.87%), predominantly mixed-race ("parda") (60.68%), and had low educational attainment, with concentration in elementary school I (38.46%) and 72.65% with schooling up to elementary school II. FI affected 94.87% of participants, distributed as mild (41.88%), moderate (22.22%), and severe (30.77%) insecurity. Mean intake was 1,341 ± 664 kcal/day, with 65.7 ± 36.8 g/day of protein, 38.4 ± 24.5 g/day of lipids, 151.7 ± 95.0 g/day of carbohydrates, and 21 ± 12 g/day of fiber. Regarding food consumption according to the degree of processing, unprocessed and minimally processed foods accounted for the largest share of energy intake (793 ± 370 kcal/day; 60.6 ± 17.2%), followed by processed foods (259 ± 262 kcal/day; 18.2 ± 14.9%), ultra-processed foods (184 ± 298 kcal/day; 12.3 ± 11.8%), and culinary ingredients (96.7 ± 71 kcal/day; 7.3 ± 4.7%). The food security/mild insecurity group had higher mean energy and macronutrient intake than the moderate/severe insecurity group, with significant differences for total energy (1,508.5 ± 754.0 vs. 1,192.7 ± 536.5 kcal/day; p = 0.01), protein (74.9 ± 38.8 vs. 57.3 ± 33.1 g/day; p = 0.009), and lipids (44.9 ± 28.8 vs. 32.5 ± 18.2 g/day; p = 0.006). No statistically significant differences were observed for most intake variables between beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of cash transfer programs. It is concluded that, in this population, FI is highly prevalent and is associated with poorer dietary intake, especially at more severe levels, reinforcing the need for intersectoral actions beyond cash transfer alone.

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Externo ao Programa - 2842635 - FABIO RESENDE DE ARAUJO - nullPresidente - 2374737 - INGRID WILZA LEAL BEZERRA
Externa à Instituição - POLIANA DE ARAÚJO PALMEIRA - UFCG