Characterization of the food consumption of breastfed infants between six to twelve months of age in the state of são paulo

Abstract

The scope of this article is to characterize the food consumption of breastfed infants living in the State of São Paulo during the second semester of life. It is a cross-sectional study with a representative sample of 14,327 infants from six to twelve months of age resident in 76 municipalities in the State of São Paulo in 2008. The characterization of infants, mothers and each municipality was conducted. Besides the evaluation of food products and dishes consumed, indicators based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization, the Brazilian Ministry of Health and studies on infant feeding practices were calculated. The analysis of food consumption according to age bracket (6|-8.9 months and 9|-12 months) and to breastfeeding pattern was performed using the chi-square test, considering a p<0.05 significance level. The majority of infants were being breastfed (56.1%). The consumption of porridge, water, fruit, salty pap, meat and unhealthy foods was more prevalent among older infants and those not breastfed. The majority of breastfed infants revealed a negative classification for minimum dietary diversity (68.2%), dietary adequacy (72.7%) or minimum acceptable diet (71.1%). The feeding of breastfed infants from the State of São Paulo falls short of the recommendations prescribed by the authorities.