Malnutrition and food security: a multilevel study

The variables associated with nutritional status (EN), household malnutrition, and food insecurity (INSA) was evaluated in 1488 subjects living in 432 homes. The NF was determined by anthropometric measures and the !NSA was based on the calorie intake of 24 hours and on the perception of the household head. Prevalence ratios (PR) were established using binomial and multinomial logistic regressions. The risk of weight deficit in subjects was 3.9 (CI 95%: 1.2 to 11.9) times higher in the rural than in the urban areas, and 4.4 (CI 95%: 1.3 to 14.8) times more when they had primary school or less. Women had 1.4 times (CI 9.5%: 1.0 to 1.8) higher risk of overweight for each five years of age increase. Households with low socioeconomic level had 1.9 (CI 95%: 1.2 to 2.9) times more risk of malnutrition when children were not present. The INSA was not associated with the EN or malnutrition. Food support in subjects apparently protected against excess weight. Urban subjects and households were at greater risk of having excess weight and malnutrition.