Food Insecurity in Urban and Rural Areas in Central Brazil: Transition from Locally Produced Foods to Processed Items

A striking shift from locally produced foods to processed items is linked to heightened food insecurity and poor diet quality in both urban and rural areas of Central Brazil, particularly in Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks. The study, using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios in fingernails alongside food intake data, revealed that diets in these regions exhibit low diversity and rely heavily on low-quality processed foods, exacerbating nutrition insecurity. While both settings face challenges, rural areas experience more pronounced effects. This transition not only impacts health but also raises concerns about environmental sustainability and economic stability.

Rodrigues, L. P. F., Carvalho, R. C., Maciel, A., Otanasio, P. N., Garavello, M. E. d. P. E., & Nardoto, G. B. (2016). Food Insecurity in Urban and Rural Areas in Central Brazil: Transition from Locally Produced Foods to Processed Items. Ecology of Food and Nutrition, 55(4), 365–377. https://doi.org/10.1080/03670244.2016.1188090