Reduction of food insecurity over time: An unattainable reality for the poorest families?

Abstract

Introduction

Food insecurity (FI), associated with inadequate access to food, reflects social inequality. Shifts in sociodemographic factors significantly impact household FI. This study initially hypothesized that the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic would exacerbate socioeconomic challenges, thereby influencing the trends and responses related to FI within the studied population.

Objective

This study examines how social and demographic factors associated with FI change in an important population group during a health crisis, identifying vulnerable groups.

Methods

This longitudinal study analyzed a random sample of students from public schools in two Brazilian municipalities. Data were collected at 9-month intervals at four time points (T0, T1, T2, and T3) between 2020 and 2022. FI was measured using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (BFIS) and analyzed as a discrete numerical variable (BFIS score -0 to 14 points). Comparisons across time points were analyzed using the paired Wilcoxon test. A generalized linear mixed model assessed the relationship between BFIS score and social and demographic variables over time.

Results

The average BFIS scores declined from 2.9 at T0 to 2.7 at T1; to 2.2 at T2 and T3, with significant differences between T0 and T2/T3 (P < 0.001), and T1 and T2/T3 (P = 0.017). Higher BFIS scores were associated with families earning less than or equal to half the minimum wage Rate Ratio (RR) =4.93 [95% CI: 3.81–6.36], enrolled in social programs RR =1.14 [95% CI: 1.02–3.81], receiving emergency aid RR =1.15 [95% CI: 1.04–1.28] or food baskets RR=1.30 [95% CI: 1.18–1.43]. Families headed by Black/Brown individuals and women had higher BFIS scores, as did those headed by single individuals and those with low educational attainment.

Conclusion

There was no reduction in the average BFIS score for 2020 and 2022 for extremely poor families, despite improvements in other socioeconomic indicators. Families enrolled in social programs, beneficiaries of emergency aid, and households headed by women and black people experienced higher average BFIS scores, highlighting factors in the complex dynamics of FI during COVID-19 and a dynamically oscillating evolution in the sociodemographic landscape.