Is social support associate4s with food (In)Security

• Grant number: 24/22002-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Public Health
• Principal Investigator: Caroline de Barros Gomes
• Grantee: Ana Clara Santos de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FMB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the relationship between Food (In)Security and social support, exploring whether different forms of support can mitigate the impacts of Food Insecurity (FI) and thus contribute to ensuring Food Security (FS). Previous studies have demonstrated that individuals with greater social support from family, friends, or community networks are less likely to experience FI, as social interactions foster the creation of support networks in various environments, benefiting individuals and helping to ensure FS and reduce the consequences of FI.This is a cross-sectional study that is part of a larger project titled "Food (In)Security Situation: Associated Factors and the Food Context in a Medium-Sized Municipality in São Paulo State." The project has been ongoing since October 2024 in the city of Botucatu, involving users of the municipality's Primary Healthcare Services. This study has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Botucatu Medical School (CAAE: 77566724.3.0000.5411).The minimum sample size was calculated with the assistance of the Research Support Office (EAP) of Botucatu Medical School (FMB-UNESP), resulting in 428 participants. FI is being assessed using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA), while social support is being evaluated using the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS). Statistical analyses will be conducted descriptively, considering socioeconomic variables and FI or FS status. The association between the total social support score and FI status will be analyzed using multivariable Poisson regression models. Additionally, a comprehensive analysis plan will be developed with the support of the EAP of FMB-UNESP. All analyses will be performed using the Statistical Package for Social Science for Windows (SPSS), version 29.0, with a significance level of p<0.05.