A INFLUÊNCIA DOS FATORES SOCIOECONÔMICOS E CULTURAIS NA FORMAÇÃO DOS HÁBITOS ALIMENTARES DE FAMÍLIAS EM VULNERABILIDADE SOCIAL

Abstract

This study analyzes the influence of socioeconomic and cultural factors on the formation of dietary habits among
socially vulnerable families. The research was conducted using a mixed-methods approach with an exploratorydescriptive focus, drawing on secondary sources, an integrative review, official documents, and public data from
the POF and PNAD. The results indicate that family income, food prices, and access conditions have a strong
impact on food choices, favoring the consumption of lower-cost and more convenient products. The influence of
cultural aspects was also observed, such as domestic organization, the burden on women regarding food
preparation, and the lack of time to prepare meals—factors that contribute to the replacement of traditional foods
with ultra-processed ones. The discussion shows that dietary habits do not depend solely on individual choices, but
on social, economic, and structural conditions that limit healthy eating. It is concluded that social programs help
reduce food insecurity, but they must be accompanied by broader public policies and local initiatives to ensure
better access to healthy foods and promote food equity.