title: Inverse association between social support and household food insecurity in a metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To verify the association between perceived social support and household food insecurity (HFI).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based study with a representative sample of households from a metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, conducted in 2010. HFI was estimated with the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA). Social support was assessed using the adapted and validated Brazilian version of the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey. Multinomial logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between social support and HFI, adjusting for potential confounders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults (n 1022) aged 19-60 years old (27% men, 73% women) who were responsible for feeding the household.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Individuals with high scores of social support were less likely to experience moderate HFI (OR=0·96; 95% CI 0·94, 0·99) and severe HFI (OR=0·96; 95% CI 0·94, 0·98).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings indicate that social support may contribute to reducing HFI in populations vulnerable to poverty. Strategies to increase social relationships should be encouraged in this group to enhance their perceived social support.
authors.affiliation: 1Post-Graduate Program,Nutrition Institute Josué de Castro,Federal University of Rio de Janeiro,Rio de Janeiro,Brazil.
authors.forename: Gabriela dos Santos
authors.initials: Gdos S
authors.lastname: Interlenghi
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Public Nutrition,Nutrition Institute Josué de Castro,Federal University of Rio de Janeiro,Carlos Chagas Filho 373,Centro de Ciências da Saúde-Instituto de Nutrição,Bloco J - 2º andar,CEP 21941-902,Rio de Janeiro/RJ,Brazil.
authors.forename: Rosana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salles-Costa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002947:Cities; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005523:Food Supply; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011203:Poverty; D012944:Social Support; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adults; Food insecurity; Population studies; Social support