National Trends and Disparities in Severe Food Insecurity in Brazil between 2004 and 2018

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• Brazilian Studies

Background:

• The Brazilian Household Food Insecurity Measurement Scale (EBIA) is crucial for monitoring food security policies in Brazil.
• National Household Sample Surveys have tracked food insecurity since 2004, with the last evaluation in 2018.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends in severe household food insecurity (FI) in Brazil between 2004 and 2018.
• To identify sociodemographic factors associated with changes in severe FI over two distinct periods.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from three National Household Sample Surveys (2004, 2009, 2013) and the 2018 Household Budget Survey.
• Estimation of changes in severe FI using the EBIA, considering sociodemographic variables across 2004-2013 and 2013-2018.

Main Results:

• Severe FI decreased by 53.6% from 2004 to 2013, with notable reductions in the Northeast and among white male-headed households.
• Conversely, severe FI increased by 43.8% from 2013 to 2018.
• During 2013-2018, households with young children (≤4 years) and elderly members (≥65 years) saw the lowest increases in severe FI.

Conclusions:

• A significant reduction in severe food insecurity occurred between 2004 and 2013.
• A sharp increase in severe food insecurity was observed from 2013 to 2018.
• Policy shifts affecting hunger reduction and unemployment likely contributed to the 2013-2018 reversal.