Food insecurity and nutritional status of Latin American and African waste pickers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Food insecurity is the violation of this right to regular and permanent access to quality food in sufficient quantity without compromising other essential needs and is associated with an increase in non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs). Recyclable waste collectors' vulnerable social groups face a high risk of food insecurity due to low income, precarious working conditions, and a lack of public policies targeting them.

This systematic review aimed to investigate the prevalence of food insecurity as well as changes in nutritional status among recyclable waste collectors.

The review followed the Cochrane guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO. Five databases were searched and observational studies (cross-sectional, case--control, and cohort) were included. The primary outcome was the prevalence of food insecurity and secondary outcomes were nutritional status such as underweight, overweight, and obese. Meta-analysis was performed using the pooled crude proportions (PRAW) method and random effects in software R version 4.1.1.

The search identified 10 studies involving 788 waste collectors. The prevalence of food insecurity was high, reaching 71% with Brazil showing the highest prevalence (77%). Overweight affected 47% of participants, with higher rates in Brazil (52%) compared to South Africa (25%). Additionally, 29% of the collectors were obese.

The high prevalence of food insecurity and overweight among recyclable waste collectors highlights the urgent need for specific public policies for this group.

PROSPERO CRD42025645499.