(P04-038-20) Food Security Levels and Dietary Intake in Mexican Women from Sinaloa

Objectives: We aim to compare dietary intakes among food secure and food insecure vulnerable women from Culiacan, Sinaloa.

Methods: Cross-sectional study design. We collected data by direct interviews from adult females. Questionnaires included socio-demographic characteristics, the Mexican Food Security Scale and a 24-h recall. Weight and height were measured, and BMI was calculated. Associations between food security levels and dietary intakes were assessed using Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables and Χ² test for categorical variables. Data is presented as mean ± SD or median (IQR).

Results: One hundred and seventy five women (aged: 46.2 ± 15.9 y; BMI: 29.8 ± 6.8 k/m²), participated in this research. The prevalence of household food security (HFS) was 51%, whereas 49% of the population reported some level of household food insecurity (HFI); 26% mild insecurity, 12% moderate insecurity and 11% severe insecurity. Energy intake was 1,586 kcal (1149, 2147 kcal), the percentage of energy from carbohydrates was 56%, from fat 28%, and from protein 16%. Daily intake of saturated fat did not comply with the national recommendation, saturated fat provided 11% of daily energy, monounsaturated fat 10%, and polyunsaturated fat 7%. There were no differences between groups (HFS vs. HFI) for age, BMI and energy intake; however, the HFS group had a significantly higher intake of saturated fat; 19 vs. 13 g (P=0.006). Sugar and calcium intake were also higher in the HFS than in the HFI group, 69 vs. 51 g and 716 vs. 510 mg, respectively (P< 0.05). Total fat (53 vs. 43 g), riboflavin (1.27 vs. 0.99 mg) and vitamin A (398 vs. 337 µg RE) showed a trend towards an increased intake in the HFS group (P< 0.100). Food security is associated with higher intake of macro and micronutrients, although further analysis is needed to identify the main food sources of saturated fat, sugar and calcium.

Conclusions: Although there is a high prevalence of overweight and obesity, deficient dietary intake of micronutrients could indicate the presence of “hidden hunger” (micronutrients deficiencies) on this vulnerable population. A better understanding of the relationship between food security and dietary intake in this population, may be useful in developing successful interventions.

Funding Sources: UAS, CONACyT