Food availability and food and nutrition (in)security of families providing for the National School Feeding Program

ABSTRACT Objective The natural probiotic kefir is fermented milk, and may have effects on satiety and voluntary energy intake. This randomized crossover trial aimed to determine whether kefir, consumed with low- or high-glycemic index meals, affects appetite and subsequent food intake. Methods This is a cross-sectional study with families of farmers who supplied Programa Nacional de Alimentacao Escolar from 2011 to 2016 in the city of Vicosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. To assess Food Insecurity, the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale was applied to the person responsible for purchasing and producing meals in the family. The nutritional aspect was analyzed through the measurement of hemoglobin to check for anemia among family members and using the household food availability survey, where it was possible to analyze the amount of calories available for consumption, as well as the origin and kind of food. Results 27 families were evaluated, totalizing 91 individuals. With the Escala Brasileira de Inseguranca Alimentar, it was found that 25.9% of the families were in light food insecurty situation. When caloric availability was assessed, 11.0% of families were considered insecure. In contrast, 59.0% of families had high calorie availability per capita (>3000 calories). Of the total households, 14.8% had more than 50.0% of the calories available for consumption coming from their own production. The foods most commonly produced for self-consumption were fresh vegetables, which are the most common ones supplied to Programa Nacional de Alimentacao. In addition, the main source of kilocalories for the families were fresh and minimally processed foods. The presence of anemia in at least 1 resident was detected in 29.6% of households, with a negative correlation between the hemoglobin value (g/dL) and the Escala Brasileira de Inseguranca Alimentar score. Conclusion It appears that the majority of the families of farmers supplying Programa Nacional de Alimentacao Escolar are in a situation of Food and Nutritional Security, both by Escala Brasileira de Inseguranca Alimentar and by the household availability of food. However, we cannot ignore the percentage of insecure families, since this situation can lead to other problems. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly assess the family situation of Fodd Insecurty and encourage production for self-consumption so that it contributes to food availability and quality. For this reason, the we highlight relevance of programs that strengthen the production and commercialization of food from family farming.