SILVA, Patrícia Alves.
Abstract:
The main objective of this study was to analyze the differences in the consumption of macronutrients and micronutrients among individuals living in urban and rural areas of two municipalities in the semiarid region of the Northeast. This is a cross-sectional and representative study, based on the application of the 24-hour Food Recall, with a sample composed of 478 individuals who had their food intake analyzed (Cuité-PB: 389 and Santa Cruz-RN: 89). Data collection was performed by trained interviewers using the KoboCollect application, and data analysis was performed using the Stata 15.0 statistical software, applying the Mann-Whitney test with a 5% confidence level. To compare the medians of intake between the groups and to estimate the differences in the prevalence of deficiency between the groups of housing area (urban and rural), the chi-square test was performed, with a statistical significance level of p < 0.05. The results showed that individuals living in urban areas had a higher intake of carbohydrates, total lipids and saturated fats compared to those living in rural areas. There was no statistically significant difference for the other macronutrients. Furthermore, the intake of calcium, iron, sodium, vitamin A, phosphorus, vitamin C, vitamin E, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin B6, selenium and folate was significantly higher among individuals living in urban areas. A high percentage of deficiency in micronutrient intake was observed, exceeding 50% for calcium, magnesium, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin and vitamin B6. This was more pronounced in rural areas. Therefore, it is noteworthy that socioeconomic inequalities and lower access to diversified and natural foods were determining factors for the disparities present. This highlights the importance of public policies aimed at food and nutritional security, with incentives for family farming and access to natural foods, especially in rural populations.
