Association between food insecurity and chronic non-communicable diseases in older adults covered by the family health strategy: a cross-sectional study in the Brazilian Northeast

Abstract Objective To investigate the association between Food Insecurity (FI) and Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in older adults in the Family Health Strategy (FHS). Method Cross-sectional study carried out with older adults from a city in the Northeast of Brazil. The presence of NCDs (Diabetes mellitus (DM); Systemic Arterial Hypertension (SAH); and dyslipidemia) was investigated through self-reported medical diagnosis (yes or no). FI was assessed using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA). In data processing, descriptive analysis, bivariate analysis with Pearson's chi-square test and binomial logistic regression were carried out. The significance level was considered at p