Food insecurity has been identified as a risk factor for the development of obesity in women, a phenomenon that does not occur to the same extent among men. This finding was detailed in an article produced by the Interdisciplinary Group for Studies in Food and Nutritional Security (GISAN), which is part of the Josué de Castro Nutrition Institute at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
The study showed how gender disparity intensifies the negative impacts of food insecurity in households led by women, affecting not only the quantity but also the quality of food consumed.
The original data comes from the Food Insecurity Survey in the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro, known as the Map of Hunger of the City of Rio de Janeiro. The research considered only data from adult heads of household, aged between 20 and 59, excluding pregnant women, resulting in a sample of 1,026 individuals.
Interviews were conducted in person by trained interviewers, questioning the family reference person responsible for purchasing and preparing meals. Information on nutritional status, including food insecurity, sociodemographic characteristics, weight, and height was collected.
To classify the food situation of the households, the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA) was used, which assesses the severity levels of insecurity (mild, moderate, and severe). This scale, composed of 14 dichotomous questions, has been validated in the country since 2004 for population surveys.
Gender Issue
The results demonstrated that overweight rates (38.7%) and obesity rates (32.3%) were notably higher among women whose families presented more severe forms of food insecurity. After due statistical adjustments, it was found that female obesity was almost three times higher in women with some degree of food insecurity.
Additionally, overweight was also correlated with women in more severe situations, showing an incidence 76% higher than observed in women from food-secure families. In contrast, the relationship was not statistically significant when analyzed in relation to men, highlighting greater female vulnerability.
Beautiful by Nature and Unequal in Income and Poverty
According to the IBGE, in 2023, 21.6 million Brazilians were dealing with some level of food insecurity, and 3.2 million were in a state of hunger. Although these numbers indicate an improvement in the food security outlook compared to previous years, food insecurity continues to disproportionately affect households headed by women.
This greater female fragility may be attributed to structural factors, such as limited access to productive resources and the overload imposed by domestic and family care responsibilities. Even in the Southeast Region, where socioeconomic indicators are more favorable compared to other areas of the country, serious internal social inequalities persist, particularly in large urban centers, such as the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro.
Rio de Janeiro plays a prominent role in the national scene, both economically and historically and culturally. Globally recognized for its natural landscapes, cultural expressions, and tourism, the city is also among those with the highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Brazil. However, this economic highlight contrasts with deep social disparities, making it considered one of the most unequal territories in the country.
Despite its national prominence, in 2024, the proportion of families experiencing hunger in the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro exceeded national and state projections, signaling an even more critical local reality, especially for families led by women.
Nuances of Health Inequalities
Despite the recognition that women are the most impacted by the link between food insecurity and obesity, there are few studies that address this correlation from the perspective of gender inequalities, especially at a municipal level. The analysis carried out in this territorial scope made it possible to identify local particularities of health injustices, showing how specific socioeconomic and cultural contexts define patterns of vulnerability.
Furthermore, the study provides essential foundations for designing public policies that are fairer and adapted to each territory. Given the high prevalence of food insecurity and obesity throughout the national territory, it is crucial to deepen the understanding of the interaction between these two public health problems and plan long-term strategies to reduce this contradiction.
The research received funding from the Municipal Chamber of Rio de Janeiro and the Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation for Research Support of the State of Rio de Janeiro. Aline Alves Ferreira is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social and Applied Nutrition, Josué de Castro Nutrition Institute at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Luana Teixeira Ghiggino is a doctoral student in Public Health (UFRJ) and a member of the Interdisciplinary Group for Studies on Food and Nutritional Security (GISAN/UFRJ). Rosana Salles da Costa is a Full Professor at the Josué de Castro Nutrition Institute/UFRJ, and receives financial support from the Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation for Research Support in the State of Rio de Janeiro, the Pan American Health Organization, and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development.