Abstract

CORREIA, Carla Campos; SANTOS, Ana Baltazar  and  CAMOLAS, José. The Food Insecurity And Obesity Paradox: A Review Of The Portuguese Reality And The Associated Mechanisms. Acta Port Nutr [online]. 2018, n.13, pp.14-21. ISSN 2183-5985.  https://doi.org/10.21011/apn.2018.1303.

Introduction: Food insecurity exists when people don’t have adequate physical, social or economic access to food. Scientific evidence shows that Food insecurity and obesity are significantly associated. Objectives: Contextualize this paradox in the Portuguese Population and evaluate the mechanisms associated to it. Methodology: A narrative review of the best scientific evidence was carried with data from the last 10 years using the defined keywords according to PRISMA standards and to a snowball approach, by choosing scientific papers, official working reports and books directed to the Portuguese Population. Results: The recent economic crisis has triggered social disparities. The most vulnerable groups to Food insecurity in Portugal are women, unemployed or employed in precarious conditions, single parents, big families and low educational level. Food insecurity is associated with chronic diseases, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes and hypertension, due to an unbalanced diet, rich in high density and micronutrient deficient food products, and a sedentary lifestyle. Conclusions: In order to prevent and deal with this paradox, it is important to implement monitoring programs in primary health care and schools, and apply strategies at a local level to promote an adequate and timely intervention.

Keywords : Chronic diseases; Food insecurity; Obesity/Overweight; Food assistance programs.

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