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Food Insecurity and Associated Factors Among Adolescents from Inland Northeast Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study

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  • Maria Eliza Dantas Bezerra Romão

    (Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Paraíba, University City, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil)

  • Maria Helena Rodrigues Galvão

    (Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Paraíba, University City, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil
    Public Health Center, Federal University of Pernambuco, University City, Vitória de Santo Antão 55608-680, PE, Brazil)

  • Fábio Correia Sampaio

    (Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Paraíba, University City, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil)

  • Jocianelle Maria Félix Fernandes Nunes

    (Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Paraíba, University City, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil)

  • Franklin Delano Soares Forte

    (Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Paraíba, University City, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil)

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate food insecurity (FI) and its association with sociodemographic characteristics and behavioral and dental alterations in adolescents from a county in the inland of northeastern Brazil. Data on 192 adolescents aged 11–14 years were analyzed in the public school system in Juripiranga, Paraíba, Northeast Brazil. The adolescents and their guardians responded to the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale, the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire for the caregiver, the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire for children and adolescents, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Academic performance was observed by calculating the median of the final assessments of basic school subjects. The prevalence of FI was 69.19, and FI was associated with a family income of up to one minimum wage per month (prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.90; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.20–3.01), no practice of religion by the guardian (PR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.04–1.73), behavior considered inappropriate by the guardian (PR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.02–1.73), and academic performance (PR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.05–1.72). FI is considered a complex and multifactorial problem that requires appropriate intervention to deal with multiple social determinants. The results point to the need for integrated public policies between the health, education, social assistance, and food security sectors.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Eliza Dantas Bezerra Romão & Maria Helena Rodrigues Galvão & Fábio Correia Sampaio & Jocianelle Maria Félix Fernandes Nunes & Franklin Delano Soares Forte, 2025. "Food Insecurity and Associated Factors Among Adolescents from Inland Northeast Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(7), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:7:p:1087-:d:1696886
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Otero, Gerardo & Pechlaner, Gabriela & Liberman, Giselle & Gürcan, Efe, 2015. "The neoliberal diet and inequality in the United States," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 47-55.
    2. May A Beydoun & Marie T Fanelli-Kuczmarski & Jennifer Poti & Allyssa Allen & Hind A Beydoun & Michele K Evans & Alan B Zonderman, 2018. "Longitudinal change in the diet's monetary value is associated with its change in quality and micronutrient adequacy among urban adults," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(10), pages 1-21, October.
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