Cultural practices impact adherence to complementary feeding guidelines in a multicultural community in Lisbon, Portugal

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate agreement with the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) complementary feeding guidelines in a multiethnic community in Lisbon and to identify factors influencing complementary feeding practices among immigrant families. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to March 2022 among caretakers of children aged 6 to 36 months at a primary healthcare facility in Lisbon, Portugal. A questionnaire collected data on demographics, socioeconomic status, complementary feeding practices, and sources of complementary feeding information. Agreement with ESPGHAN guidelines was assessed, and statistical analyses identified associations between complementary feeding inadequacies and socio-demographic variables. Results: Among 136 participants, 69% were immigrants. The prevalence of complementary feeding inadequacies was 53%, with early introduction of salt (28%) and tea (19%), and delayed introduction of gluten (15%) being the most frequent. Immigrant families exhibited higher rates of inadequacies. Healthcare professionals (71%) and family advice (13%) were the primary sources of complementary feeding information. Conclusion: Adherence to ESPGHAN complementary feeding guidelines was suboptimal, particularly among immigrant families. Tailored healthcare interventions that consider cultural and socioeconomic factors are necessary to enhance the complementary feeding practices. Further research is needed to monitor these practices and evaluate the effectiveness of culturally sensitive healthcare policies.