Charcterization of feeding of children under 24 months in units cared by the Family health Strategy

Abstract

Objective: To describe the median age of introduction and regular food intake by young children in units of the Family Health Strategy. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 283 young children chosen by uniform stratified cluster sampling. Socio-demographic data on the mother and the child’s food intake were collected (age of food introduction and weekly frequency). Foods were grouped into in natura/minimally processed (G1); culinary ingredients (G2); processed (G3) and ultra-processed (G4). The survival analysis was applied to define the median age of food introduction and the chi-square test was used to compare the frequency of food intake, according to the age range (0–5.9; 6–11.9; and 12–23.9 months old). Results: The median duration of exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding were three and 19 months, respectively. The age of median food introduction of G1 was six months, except for eggs, milk and coffee (12 months). For oil and salt (G2), the median was 6 months, and for sugar (G2), seven months. The median age of introduction of most food of G4 was 12 months; for infant formulas, it was seven months; cookies and baby food, eight months. Most food had not yet been introduced for children under six months old. For children from six to 11.9 months old, the regular consumption of G4 (≥5 days/week) was higher for cookies (23.8%), bread (21.2%), infant formulas (21.2%) and baby food (35%); and for children from 12 to 23.9 months old, it was higher for cookies (31.2%), bread (57.5%) and baby food (48.7%). Conclusions: Food introduced and consumed on a regular basis was mainly in natura, at all ages. Processed and ultra-processed food presented a higher frequency of consumption after 12 months old.