"ASSOCIAÇÃO ENTRE INSEGURANÇA ALIMENTAR E CONSUMO DE ALIMENTOS ULTRAPROCESSADOS EM CRIANÇAS DE COMUNIDADES QUILOMBOLAS DE BEQUIMÃO-MA"

Abstract

Introduction: Quilombolas represent population groups marked by social vulnerability, which suffer negative impacts in relation to food and nutritional security and changes in their eating patterns. Objective: To evaluate the association between food insecurity (AI) and the consumption of fresh or minimally processed foods (INMP) and ultra-processed foods (AUP) in children from quilombola communities in Bequimão- MA. Methods: This is a cross sectional study with 143 quilombola children living in 10 communities in Bequimão-MA. Data on AI were collected using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA). Food consumption was assessed using a 24-hour recall (R24hs) and sociodemographic variables using a semi-structured questionnaire. The distance from the quilombos to the center of the municipality was measured using the Google Maps software. Descriptive analyzes of quantitative and qualitative variables and multiple linear regression analyzes were carried out to investigate the associations between AI and INMP and AUP food consumption, adopting a significance level of 5%. Results: A high prevalence of families of children belonging to economic class D/E (83%), beneficiaries of the Income Transfer Program (86%) and with an income of less than ¼ of the 2022 minimum wage (77%) was identified. Regarding food security (SA), 82% of families were in an IA situation and 18% in SA. Regarding the children's diet, the average calorie consumption was 2,713.33 kcal, of which 60.87% were from INMP foods and 37.73% from AUP. Quilombos located between 5 and 10 km from the center of Bequimão tended to consume greater UPA. Moderate FI (β:11; 95%CI: 2.2; 20) was associated with increased consumption of UPF and decreased consumption of INMP foods (β: -13; 95%CI: -21; -3. 3) and mild FI (β: -8.7; 95% CI: -17; -0.34) with reduced consumption of INMP foods. All AI levels were associated with an increase in UPF intake (β:7.9; 95% CI: 0.47;15) and a reduction in INMP foods (β: -9.1; 95% CI: -17; - 1,4) in the diet of quilombola children. Conclusion: The FI situation of quilombola children's families was associated with worse food quality, with greater consumption of UPA and reduced intake of INMP foods. Therefore, it is necessary to implement public policies that strengthen SA, aiming to improve the quality of life and health of these children.