This study aimed to investigate the situation of food insecurity (FI) related to the area of residence of children under five years old in Brazilian county Semi-arid. The design was cross-sectional population-based. Demographic data and FI situation were analyzed from the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA), involving random children selection who attended the National Vaccination Campaign in 2010. We performed association between residence area and child FI status through χ2 test, calculating the odds ratio (OR) and its confidence interval of 95% (95%CI), setting p<0.05. The study involved a sample of 370 children. We found that living in rural areas doubles the chance of FI (OR=2.2; 95%CI 1.32-3.65). However, when more FI severe cases were investigated, the rural households had the lowest percentages for severe FI (4.3%) compared to urban (7.9%), p=0.002. Thus, it is assumed that rural households find forms of social support for the more serious consequences of FI, using resources that are unlikely in urban areas, such as subsistence farming and assistance solidarity.
food security; social inequity; child; Brazil
