Abstract
Objective
To investigate the association between Food Insecurity (FI) and Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in older adults in the Family Health Strategy (FHS).
Method
Cross-sectional study carried out with older adults from a city in the Northeast of Brazil. The presence of NCDs (Diabetes mellitus (DM); Systemic Arterial Hypertension (SAH); and dyslipidemia) was investigated through self-reported medical diagnosis (yes or no). FI was assessed using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA). In data processing, descriptive analysis, bivariate analysis with Pearson's chi-square test and binomial logistic regression were carried out. The significance level was considered at p<0.05.
Results
316 older adults were evaluated and a prevalence of 63.3% for FI was observed (37.7% for mild FI and 25.6% for moderate/severe FI). Regarding the NCDs investigated, a prevalence of 24.1% for DM, 69.9% for hypertension and 30.7% for dyslipidemia was observed. In the regression analysis, after adjustments, there was no association between FI and SAH or DM. There was only an association between mild FI and dyslipidemia (OR 2.036; 95% CI: 1.072 – 3.866). No association was found between moderate/severe FI and dyslipidemia (OR 1.779; 95% CI: 0.877 – 3.610).
Conclusion
The study points to FI as a social and public health problem in older adults cared for by the FHS in a municipality in northeastern Brazil, both due to the prevalence found and the association with chronic diseases. The implementation of specific public policies for older adults can improve access to healthy food and help maintain health.
Keywords
Aging; Nutrition; Food Security; Chronic Diseases; Primary Health Care