Avaliação da segurança alimentar e nutricional de famílias beneficiárias do Programa Bolsa Família / Food security status of beneficiary families of the brazilian 'Bolsa Família' Program

RESUMO

Objetivo: Avaliaram-se par�metros socioecon�micos e seguran�a alimentar e nutricional (SAN) de fam�lias benefici�rias do Programa Bolsa Fam�lia (PBF) residentes em um munic�pio do norte de Minas Gerais. M�todos Foram investigadas 150 fam�lias e obtidos dados sobre as suas condi��es socioecon�micas (idade do titular, n�vel de escolaridade, situa��o no mercado de trabalho, renda gasta com alimenta��o e n�mero de filhos). Mediu-se o n�vel de seguran�a alimentar utilizando-se a Escala Brasileira de Medida da Inseguran�a Alimentar, com 15 quest�es que refletem a inseguran�a alimentar em diferentes n�veis de intensidade. Aplicou-se o teste de Fisher para avaliar a associa��o entre seguran�a alimentar e as vari�veis socioecon�micas. Resultados: A grande maioria das fam�lias era jovem, empregada e com at� tr�s filhos menores de 18 anos; 60% gastavam menos de 160 reais mensais com alimenta��o. Observou-se que 72,0% dos entrevistados sofriam de inseguran�a alimentar, sendo 50,0% em um grau leve, 14,7% moderada e 7,3% grave. Os dados de inseguran�a alimentar n�o se associaram �s vari�veis socioecon�micas. Conclus�o As fam�lias contempladas pelo Programa Bolsa Fam�lia ainda vivem em condi��es de vulnerabilidade social e a seguran�a alimentar e nutricional ainda n�o � garantida para essa popula��o.

ABSTRACT

Objective: The present study evaluated the socioeconomic and food and nutrition security (FNS) parameters of families assisted under the ?Bolsa Fam�lia? Program in a municipality of northern Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Methods: Data on socioeconomic conditions (age and educational level of the head of family, labor market position, expenses with food, and number of children) were collected from a sample of 150 families. Food security status was measured using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale with 15 questions that indicate different levels of food insecurity. Association between food security and socioeconomic variables were assessed by the Fisher?s exact test. Results: Most families were young, with employed parents, and up to 3 underage children; 60% spent less than R$160.00/month on food. It was possible to observe that 72.0% of the families investigated suffered with food insecurity 50.0% with mild insecurity, 14.7% with moderate insecurity, and 7.3% with severe insecurity. Data on food insecurity were not associated with the socioeconomic variables assessed. Conclusion: The families assisted by the ?Bolsa Fam�lia? Program still live under social vulnerability and do not have their food and nutritional security ensured.