Multidimensionalidad de la seguridad alimentaria y nutricional en el espacio rural de Costa Rica

This article focuses on the food and nutrition security (SAN) study of the farming families in the municipality of Coto Brus of the Brunca Region, using a multidimensional and multiscale approach to the SAN (Rodríguez, Fernández and Coelho-de-Souza, 2019). The main objective is to analyze how dimensions of SAN (political, ethical, sociocultural, environmental, economic and nutritional) are articulated and contribute to the food and nutritional condition of farming families. The data were collected in 34 families in 2015 using four techniques: semi-structured interview, structured interview, participant observation and farmers-guided walks along their properties. There were also 10 interviews with institutions and organizations representatives. The analysis was carried out based on the theoretical-methodological framework of the multidimensionality of SAN (Rodríguez et al, 2019). The quantitative information was analyzed using IBM SPSS® and MS-Excel® software. The qualitative information was organized and presented from the predefined categories. Main results show that among the visited families, 68% of them were in food insecurity. Important differences have been found in the practices of families according to their condition of SAN in economic and nutritional dimensions. Families with SAN have greater economic resources and a greater number of people with overweight or obesity. The intrinsic relationship of families with nature stands out, which guides more sustainable practices. Such results let conclude, based on this study, that the multidimensional and multiscale approach allowed a broader understanding of the SAN, by analyzing both the strategies related to the various pillars (availability, access, consumption and biological use) and the dimensions that are linked to them. In addition, the nutritional dimension is considered as an expression of the sustainability of the agri-food system, suggesting that it is necessary adopting such dimension as a guide for rural development actions.