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This study aimed to characterize users of a government soup-kitchen program and the association with family food insecurity, using a cross-sectional design and random sample of 1,637 soup-kitchen users. The study used a questionnaire with socioeconomic variables and the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale, and measured weight and height. The chi-square test was applied, and the crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated using Poisson regression. Prevalent characteristics included per capita income ranging from one-half to one minimum wage (35.1%), complete middle school (39.8%), and food security (59.4%). Users in the North of Brazil showed the worst data: incomplete primary school (39.8%), per capita income up to one-half the minimum wage (50.8%), and food insecurity (55.5%). Prevalence ratios for food insecurity were higher among users with per capita income up to one-fourth the minimum wage (p < 0.05). Income was the only variable that remained associated with higher prevalence of food insecurity in the adjusted PR. Knowing the characteristics of soup-kitchen users with food insecurity can help orient the program's work, location, and operations.

The aim of this study was to assess food consumption in Brazilian children 6 to 59 months of age by region of the country and area of residence. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 4,322 children in the National Demographic and Health Survey (2006-2007). The data showed low daily consumption of leafy vegetables (12.7%), vegetables (21.8%), and meat (24.6%) and high consumption (1-3 times a week) of soft drinks (40.5%), fried foods (39.4%), salty snacks (39.4%), and sweets (37.8%). Comparing the regions of Brazil, children in the South, Southeast, and Central-West consumed more rice, bread, potatoes, beans, greens, vegetables, and meat, but they also ate more foods not recommended for their age, like sweets and soft drinks (soda). Rural children showed lower consumption of foods recommended for their age and also those not recommended for their age, as compared to their urban counterparts. According to this study, food consumption in these young children fails to meet the recommendations for healthy eating in this age bracket.

Prevalence of severe food insecurity was estimated for Brazilian municipalities based on the 2004 National Household Sample Survey (PNAD). First, a logistic regression model was developed and tested with this database. The model was then applied to the 2000 census data, generating severe food insecurity estimates for the Brazilian municipalities, which were subsequently analyzed according to the proportion of families exposed to severe food insecurity. Severe food insecurity was mainly concentrated in the North and Northeast regions, where 46.1% and 65.3% of municipalities showed high prevalence of severe food insecurity, respectively. Most municipalities in the Central West region showed intermediate prevalence of severe food insecurity. There was wide intra-regional variation in severe food insecurity, while the South of Brazil showed the most uniform distribution. In conclusion, Brazil displays wide inter and intra-regional variations in the occurrence of severe food insecurity. Such variations should be identified and analyzed in order to plan appropriate public policies.