Practices of mothers and caregivers in the implementation of the ten steps for healthy feeding

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the practices of mothers and caregivers regarding the diet of children under one year of age, according to the recommendations of the ten steps for healthy feeding. Method: a cross-sectional, analytical study. A total of 151 mothers or caregivers of children aged 12-23 months and 29 days who were registered in the Basic Health Units of the IV Health District in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, were interviewed between July and September 2015. For the purpose of analysis a ten-step compliance score for healthy feeding was constructed. Poisson regression with robust variance was performed to identify the determinants of inadequate feeding practices. Results: the median of the steps was 20%. Paid maternal work outside the home, not living with the partner and performing less than seven childcare consultations were determinants of inadequate feeding practices. Conclusion: The practices of the mothers and caregivers in relation to children’s diet were considered inadequate due to the low compliance regarding the number of accomplished steps.