Factors associated with food insecurity in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the factors linked to Food Insecurity (FI) in children and adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM1). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with children and adolescents at the Diabetes Outpatient Clinic of the IPPMG/UFRJ. Procedures included assessing FI levels using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA). Sociodemographic data collected included age, gender, number of family members, caregiver's education, social benefits, and income. A 5% significance level was used, with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The sample included 130 children and adolescents, mostly female (60.8%, n = 79), and most did not receive social benefits (63.8%, n = 81). In most cases, the mother was the primary caregiver (77.7%, n = 101), and the caregivers had at least completed high school (80%, n = 104). Most participants were eutrophic based on BMI/age and sex (58.4%, n = 76) and had appropriate height for their age (96.9%, n = 126). The prevalence of FI was 67.4% (n = 87), with 50.4% (n = 65) experiencing mild FI, 11.6% (n = 15) moderate FI, and 5.4% (n = 7) severe FI. CONCLUSION: A significant association was found between FI and income, caregiver's education, and receipt of benefits. The study highlights income as a key factor in food acquisition. These findings stress the need for intersectoral actions to develop public policies and programs aimed at reducing poverty, promoting food security, and ensuring adequate, healthy nutrition, especially within this population.