Influence of the nutritional intervention in complementary feeding practices in infants

Authors

  • Camila Yukie Torigoe Federal University of Sao Paulo
  • Leiko Asakura Federal University of Sao Paulo; Department of Preventive Medicine
  • Anita Sachs Federal University of Sao Paulo; Department of Preventive Medicine
  • Clarissa Viana Demézio da Silva Federal University of Sao Paulo; Department of Preventive Medicine
  • Ana Cristina Freitas de Vilhena Abrão Federal University of Sao Paulo; Center for Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding / Human Milk Bank
  • Gianni Mara Silva dos Santos Federal University of Sao Paulo
  • Lucíola de Castro Coelho Federal University of Sao Paulo; Department of Preventive Medicine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7322/jhgd.20055

Keywords:

supplementary feeding, infant, food consumption

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional guidance to lactating infants undergoing the phase of complementary feeding introduction and to verify the association of food practices with age and maternal education. It is a descriptive historical cohort study in which secondary data were evaluated from 92 lactating infants who had at least 3 nutritional counselings at the "Center for Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding" from the Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), between October 2005 and March 2010. The information of food consumption was obtained from 24 hours food records which were qualitatively analyzed according to the presence of food groups (cereals/tubers, beef/egg, legumes, fruits/vegetables). The nutritional guidance for the introduction of the complementary food was based on the 10 Steps of a Healthy Diet for Brazilian Children under 2 years of age from the Health Ministry. For the Block Non-parametric Variance Analyses children were separated in 2 groups (Lac A = those who were already on a supplementary feeding; Lac B = those who were not on a supplementary feeding). The means and standard deviations of the number of food groups consumed at moments 0,1 and 2 for Lac A were 2.3 (SD = 0.8); 2.9 (SD = 0.8) and 3.2 (SD = 0.6), respectively. For Lac B at times 1 and 2 were 2.6 (SD = 0.9) and 3.1 (SD = 0.7), respectively. There was a statistic increase of the food groups with time for Lac A (moments 0 - 1 (p = 0.001), 0 - 2 (p < 0.001), 1 - 2 (p = 0.033)) and Lac B (moments 1 - 2 (p < 0.001)). Among the inadequate offered foods, those which had reduction were sugar (from 22.2% to 8.7%) and "petit suisse" cheese (from 11.1% to 4.3%). No relation between the presence of food groups and age and maternal education was observed. The nutritional orientation over time was effective what resulted in a better quality of the complementary feeding, independent of age and maternal education.

Published

2012-04-01

Issue

Section

Original Research