Sociodemographic factors of determining of food insecurity in Brazil: a theoretical essay

Abstract

The aim was to discuss the concepts related to food insecurity and the socio-demographic factors involved in determining it. In this context, this essay addresses the definitions of food security and insecurity, based on the policies and legislation that underpin them, bringing up the debate on the violation of the Human Right to Adequate Food (HRAF) and other rights that lead the population to experience dehumanization. It brings up Josué de Castro's theory on hunger, both historical and geographical, making connections with the socio-economic imbalance generated by Brazil's political and economic structure up to the present day.  The last section deals with the characterization of socio-demographic factors and their influence on food and nutritional insecurity, with an emphasis on race/color, gender, income, schooling and the geographical region of Brazil. This text also places the state as a reproducer of socio-economic inequalities and perpetuator of the cycle of poverty and hunger in the country. Given the scientific evidence on the role of socio-demographic determinants in the production of food insecurity, it is possible to establish a critical discussion about how these factors interfere with health and the realization of other human rights.