Food insecurity and socioeconomic, food and nutrition profile of schoolchildren living in urban and rural areas of Picos, Piaui

Objective This study aimed to determine the prevalence of food insecurity among schoolchildren living in urban and rural areas of Picos, Piaui associated with the socioeconomic profile of families and their food intake and nutritional status. Methods Study participants were families with children aged 7-10 years enrolled in municipal schools, totaling 342 families/schoolchildren. The study was conducted at school facilities through interviews with mothers - or guardians - using a questionnaire based on the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale and socioeconomic variables and food frequency questionnaire. The nutritional status of children was assessed using the following indexes: weight/age, height/age and body mass index/age. Results The prevalence of food insecurity was high and similar for rural and urban areas, 84.3% and 83.3%, respectively. In general, lower income and consumption of untreated water was associated with greater frequency of food insecurity (p <= 0.01). In urban areas, higher percentage of food insecurity was associated to lower educational levels (p <= 0.05). Dietary intake and nutritional status of schoolchildren were not associated with food insecurity condition of families. Conclusion The percentage of families at food insecurity, as well as the food consumption and nutritional status of schoolchildren were similar between urban and rural areas, characterized as a homogeneous population in terms of socioeconomic conditions.