Description
Studies regarding unsafe food are limited in Portugal. However, a recent study regarding the attendees in primary care centers in 2012 showed that 49.0% of Portuguese households represented unsafe food. These surprisingly results need to be confirmed and explored in order to accomplish the aim of the National Health Plan (pns.dgs.pt), which is to maximize health gains, improve health to all individuals and reduce inequalities. The ProFooSe project intends to improve the information on prevalence and socioeconomic determinants of food insecurity in the Portuguese households by performing a national based registry. Also, we will develop an integrated intervention to vulnerable social strata with food insecurity, which are mainly teenagers and elderly population in order to improve healthy diet behavior. Finally the collaborative work with the notable and experienced Norwegian epidemiologic group will bring valuable knowledge to the consortium, will allow the comparison and exchange of data between countries and will contribute with expertise to the development of the national survey and the interventions to improve healthy diet among population strata with food insecurity using new technologies.
Summary of project results
Portuguese Program for the Promotion of Healthy Eating (PNPAS) considers the reduction of inequalities in diet as one of its main challenges. ProFooSe project is aligned with the goals of the PNPAS, by: 1) characterizing the dietary patterns of Portuguese population; 2) determine the prevalence of food insecurity in Portugal (uncertain access to adequate food); 3) promoting healthy lifestyles among vulnerable groups, namely elderly and adolescents. This project developed a national base survey on food insecurity households and generated evidence regarding food insecurity prevalence in Portugal. ProFooSe showed that in 2015 – 2016, 19.3% of Portuguese households experienced some level of food insecurity. Also showed that being women, less educated people, and individuals aged between 40-49 and 50-59 years had higher risk to be food insecure. Other variables such as part-time employment, unemployment, living in Portuguese islands and a low adherence to Mediterranean diet were also associated with higher odds of being food insecure. Food insecurity is associated with obesity, chronic diseases, poor disease control, higher health resources consumption and hospitalizations. The data obtained showed that policy makers should invest in food education campaigns among older adults, island habitants, subjects with lower literacy and precarious jobs, should also increase the resources allocated to reduce social inequalities and poverty, as ways to reduce health inequalities. Interactive tools (tv application, smartphone app, facebook page, internet platform) were developed as ways to promote healthy lifestyles among adolescents and elderly. Five scientific papers, four scientific reports regarding food patterns of Portuguese and Norwegian population and several communications in international congresses, were also outputs of this project. In conclusion, ProFooSe, not only provided strong and robust evidence regarding food insecurity in Portugal, but also, developed solutions to promote healthy lifestyles in vulnerable groups of population.
Summary of bilateral results
The activities undertaken in the scope of bilateral funds were mainly related with presentations of project results in seminars and scientific meetings, for example the project participated in a seminar entitled “Promoting health literacy and healthy lifestyles using ICTs” in an international forum at Trondheim. This projected also presented his results in the Congress – “Advancing Food Insecurity Research” in Canada. With this grant the Project Promoters also organized a two day event in Lisbon to discuss the project results with the Norwegian partners from NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology). This event took place on 31st and 1st of June of 2016. The project promotor is finishing a book entitled “Viver com Saúde”, which is a practical manual with tips about nutrition, physical exercise and mental wellbeing for elderly people. This book will be freely distributed. The collaboration between the Project Promotor and Norwegian partners were important to define methodologies and discuss scientific aspects of the project. The collaboration generated in the aim of the bilateral funds with NTNU will be extended in the future for new projects.