Food insecurity in the households of the Algarve

Abstract

The National Health Directorate considered that an assessment of food insecurity was a priority for the Algarve region. This study reports the results of the Regional Observatory for Food Security, which aimed to identify socioeconomic determinants, lifestyle risk factors, and prevalence of food insecurity in the Algarve. We conducted a cross-sectional study in a random, stratified, sample of households in the Algarve, with data regarding sociodemographic, anthropometric, food insecurity, access to places where food is sold, and Mediterranean diet adherence variables, collected through a direct interview conducted to a representative of the household. Data analysis was conducted with the IBM-SPSS software, version 22. Approximately 24% of households had mild food insecurity, 3% had moderate food insecurity, and 2% had severe food insecurity. Only 25% of participants had good adherence to the Mediterranean Diet. Unemployment in the household (rSpearman=0.116; p<0.05), smoking habits (rSpearman=0.193; p<0.05), and low adherence to Mediterranean Diet (χ2= 6.7; p=0.01) seem associated with greater food insecurity. An odds ratio analysis shows that having a higher education degree can be a protective factor for food insecurity (OR=0.78; 95%IC 0.66-0.92). Although further studies are needed in order to assess in detail the determinants of food insecurity, this work can contribute to tailor food and nutrition interventions in the region.