Socio-economic aspects of subnutrition in Brazil

Abstract

It is proposed here to offer a general view of the social and economic factors that have been identified as the main determinants of a country's nutritional situation. The conclusion is reached that income, considered in isolation, is the most important factor in determining the nutritional condition, but once this variable is fixed, other factors such as the extent of the health attendance system, educational level, food and nutrition programs - also play an important part. An attempt is made impirically to decide, which are the determinants of the nutritional situation for Brazil, in the light of previous research. It becomes evident, as the literature leads one to expect that income is the most important factor, and once that is established as true for the case of Brazil too, there also appear as relevant factors ease of access to health services and sanitation. This evidence leads on to the discussion of alternative nutrition policies, showing the magnitude of the redistribution income necessary to cover the nutritional gap and of the role of the meals and nutrition programs, in their latest form (the so called Social Priorities Program, of the present Government).