Feeding practices and nutritional status of children receiving care within the family health strategy

Abstract

Objective: To describe the eating habits and nutritional status of children under one year old attended at the Family Health Strategy. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study developed in the city of Campina Grande, Paraíba. 633 mothers were interviewed and information included feeding practices (food eaten in the 24 hours preceding the survey) of their children. The nutritional status was analyzed using weight/age and length/age anthropometric indices. Results: Breastfeeding in the first hour of life was reported by 70.9% (n=443) of respondents. Foods most consumed were water and breast milk, followed by other types of milk. The high frequency of consumption of foods not recommended such as snacks, candies/chocolates/ lollipops and soft drinks was also reported. As for the anthropometric profile, weight and length deficits reached respectively 5.3% (n=32) and 11.9% (n=17) of children. Conclusion: Feeding practices of children under one year old disagree with the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health of Brazil. Additionally, a high prevalence of stunting was also found in the context of public health.