Harvesting rainwater for food security: farmers' perceptions of the Boardwalk Cisterns Program in Alagoas, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Boardwalk Cisterns is a government program that aims to attend a population with precarious access to water in Brazil. Developed as part of the Zero Hunger strategy, it intends to increase food security and contribute to the realization of the human right to food. The objective of this study was to assess farmers' perceptions of the Boardwalk Cisterns program and its impact on the food security situation of beneficiary households. METHODS: Data were collected through a descriptive cross-sectional quali-quantitative survey. Questionnaires were applied to farming families selected from two municipalities in the state of Alagoas (Northeast Brazil), containing questions on sociodemographic characteristics, production methods, and food security status. The Free Evocation Technique for social representation, analyzed through the software Ensemble of Programs Permettant L'analyze des Évocations, was used to ascertain farmers' perceptions of the program. RESULTS: The study showed a positive perception of the interviewees in relation to the boardwalk cisterns. The program brought some improvement in the agricultural production conditions and, consequently, in the food security situation of the households. Corn, beans and cassava were the most common crops, with almost half of this production (48.3%) destined for consumption by the families themselves. Farmers also reported having more water, allowing them to plant more fruit trees, as well as medicinal and ornamental plants. Nevertheless, 79.1% of the households interviewed were still in a situation of food insecurity, of which 28.1% were classified as mild food insecurity, 26% as moderate food insecurity, and 25% as severe food insecurity. CONCLUSION: Farmers were correct in their perception that the Boardwalk Cisterns program improved their food security situation. The program resulted in greater access to water, and greater production and consumption of food. However, by itself, the Boardwalk Cisterns program was not enough to raise beneficiary families above their food-insecure status. The program alleviated the problem of food insecurity, but other complementary government interventions are needed to guarantee the food security of families living in extreme poverty.

Food and nutritional security of semi-arid farm families benefiting from rainwater collection equipment in Brazil.

The objective of this study was to identify and describe the experience of family farmers and their respective families after using the Boardwalk Cistern rainwater collection system and consequent impacts on nutrition profile and food security. This is a qualitative-quantitative study conducted in two municipalities in the semi-arid region of the state of Alagoas, northeastern Brazil. A structured questionnaire was applied to collect information on demographic and socioeconomic status and household access to food, based on the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale of 29 family farmers' households. Food intake was assessed by food intake markers of the Ministry of Health, while nutritional status was determined by measuring the weight and height of all family members and waist circumference of adults. Nutrition diagnosis was performed using the cutoff points of body mass index for age. Three focus groups were conducted, and the information collected was analyzed through Content Analysis with the aim of knowing the participants' perception of the effects of the received water equipment. The study showed a high prevalence of excess weight (52.7%) and high risk for cardiovascular diseases (35.9%) marked by a high salt and sugar in the food intake. Food Insecurity Scale showed that food insecurity is a problem occurring in 75% of these families. However, focus groups showed that families have a positive perception of Boardwalk Cisterns for their food security. They believe that agricultural production has improved, thereby offering a wider range of foods and, consequently, improving food security. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of water access programs for food production within public policies to guarantee FNS.

Nutritionist's job market: 80 years of history / Mercado de trabalho do nutricionista: 80 anos de história

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the increase in the number of nutritionists and the aspects of the job market in the last decade. Methods Critical test based on literature review and official data provided by nutrition councils and other entities. Results There was an average yearly increase of 8,248 nutritionists in the period from 2010 to 2017, having the largest contingent of professionals concentrated in the Brazilian Southeast region. In 2017 there were 126,539 nutritionists registered in the country's ten regional councils, practically twice as much as in 2009 (60,554 nutritionists). Even though the last nationwide research on the profile of nutritionists was performed in 2006, the production of local studies showed that more than half of the professionals voluntarily continued their education after graduating. In 2018 the Federal Council of Nutritionists updated the areas of work with details divided in subareas, segments and subsegments. Public spaces for food security, primary health care and sports nutrition are examples of new fields for the nutritionist. In the period of analysis there was an increase of 58.9% of the wage floor, however, still below the national average and other health professionals, and with longer working hours. The current wage floor for nutritionists is R$2,558.05. Conclusion In addition to the increase in the number of professionals, there were adjustments in specific labor legislation, as well as geographical repositioning, diversification and expansion of the job market. It is necessary to move ahead, mainly in what concerns a more extended and holistic understanding of the profession.

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar a expansão do número de nutricionistas e aspectos do mercado de trabalho do profissional na última década Métodos Ensaio crítico realizado com base em revisão da literatura e em dados oficiais fornecidos pelos Conselhos e outras entidades da profissão. Resultados Houve um aumento médio de 8.248 nutricionistas por ano, no período de 2010 a 2017, com manutenção do maior contingente de profissionais na região Sudeste. Em 2017 existiam 126.539 nutricionistas registrados nos dez conselhos regionais do país, praticamente o dobro de 2009 (60.554 nutricionistas). Apesar da ausência de pesquisa nacional sobre o perfil do nutricionista desde 2006, estudos regionais ou locais mostraram que mais da metade dos profissionais buscou a continuidade da formação. Em 2018 o Conselho Federal de Nutricionistas atualizou as áreas de atuação com detalhamento em subáreas, segmentos e subsegmentos. Equipamentos públicos de segurança alimentar, atenção básica e nutrição esportiva são exemplos dos novos campos de atuação. No período de análise houve aumento de 58,9% do piso salarial, no entanto, ainda abaixo da média nacional e de outras profissões da saúde, e com maior jornada de trabalho. Atualmente o piso salarial nacional do nutricionista é de R$2.558,05. Conclusão Além do aumento no número de profissionais, houve ajustes na legislação trabalhista específica, bem como reposicionamento geográfico, diversificação e ampliação do mercado de trabalho. É necessário avançar na atuação, principalmente no que tange ao entendimento mais ampliado e holístico da profissão.