Temporal Changes in the Association Between Food Insecurity and Socioeconomic Status in Two Population-Based Surveys in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Food insecurity (FI) is a global problem, and it is important to understand its several determinants, especially those related to poverty and social inequalities. This study aims to analyse the changes in the association of FI with socioeconomic conditions in a municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is a study of two waves of data developed with representative samples conducted through probabilistic sampling by clusters of 1085 (2005) and 1121 (2010) families. FI was estimated by the Brazilian Household Food Insecurity Measurement Scale to evaluate the association between FI and social indicators by using Poisson regression. Univariate models were tested and adjusted to obtain prevalence ratios (PR) and respective confidence intervals (95% CIs). The results showed a reduced FI (− 11.6%) and the improvement of some social indicators. After adjustment, a greater number of people per household ([2005: PR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.10;1.50], [2010: PR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.09;1.71]), lower socioeconomic classification ([2005: PR = 2.30, 95% CI 1.01;5.30], [2010: PR = 3.98, 95% CI 1.55;10.23]) and participation in the Brazilian cash transfer programme ([2005: PR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.13;1.65], [2010: PR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.20;1.88]) remained significantly associated with FI in both years. The absence of treated water in the household for consumption was associated in 2010 (PR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.24; 1.83). Adult education, although significant in the bivariate analysis, did not remain associated with FI after adjustment. The social conditions remained strongly associated with FI in the population studied, which highlights the importance of social policies to minimize the consequences of FI in populations exposed to poverty.