Food insecurity perception in families with elderly in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of food insecurity (FI) in families with elderly members and to describe their socio-demographic profile. The study focused on families with members aged 65 years or more (n = 195) participating in a household survey in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, in 2003. The Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale, an adaptation of the USDA FI module, was used to diagnose food security/insecurity (FS/FI). Mild FI was present in 33.0% of families, moderate in 11.8%, and severe in 7.2%. The elderly had no income in < 5.0% of the families. Families with FI, as in the United States, had a greater proportion of elderly with low income and low level of education (no schooling or incomplete primary schooling). A significantly higher proportion of daily qualitative food intake was observed in FS families (vegetables 92.3 vs. 61.8%; OR = 7.4; 95%CI: 2.9-19.6; meat 74.2 vs. 43.1%; OR = 3.8; 95%CI: 1.9-7.3; fruit 77.4 vs. 49.0%; OR = 3.6; 95%CI: 1.8-6.9). The elderly contribute to family income and thus do not pose a burden to their families.