Perfil nutricional de adultos beneficiários do programa bolsa família no município de Cabedelo - PB

Abstract

Poverty still afflicts all humanity, disadvantaging families who are hungry and suffering from malnutrition. Since the 90s, Brazil has been putting priority actions in short-term poverty alleviation, to equate food and nutrition problems of the population. Thus, the federal government chose to invest in Conditional Cash Transfer programs, emerging Bolsa Família Program (BFP). But what we can see today is the growing increase in overweight and obesity rates across the population, including among the beneficiaries of PBF, which are risk factors for health problems. The research aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of the adult population receiving the Bolsa Família Program in the city of Cabedelo - PB. This is a crosssectional study conducted in 2014 in Basic Health Units in Cabedelo (PB). We interviewed 295 adults enrolled in the PBF, 20-59 years responded to socioeconomic questionnaire and underwent assessment of nutritional status. Were measured weight, height and waist circumference (WC) and calculated the Body Mass Index and Waist-Height Ratio (HCR). The results showed that 67.1% of the population with high WC are above the proper weight (68.8%) and also with high HCR (77.3%). Also we observed statistically significant association (p <0.05) between age and nutritional status variables, and between the HCR and the level of education and marital status. The nutritional profile of respondents is inappropriate, and most conducive to the development of several metabolic diseases associated. Given these call attention to the current situation and pay attention to the need to implement public policy awareness and appreciation of healthy eating habits and physical activity, aimed at improving the health and nutritional status of this population.