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Abstract
ABSTRACTObjective: To describe the prevalence of underweight and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in children aged zero to six months followed by Primary Care in Brazil in 2017, identifying their spatial distribution.Methods: This was an observational, descriptive and ecological study based on data analysis of the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System. The distribution of records obtained was compared to the population estimates of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). In order to evaluate the EBF, Primary Health Care teams used food ingestion from the previous day. As for underweight, we used: Length-for-age (L/A), Weight-for-age (W/A) and BMI-for-age (BMI/A), according to World Health Organization (WHO) references. Confidence Intervals were calculated 95% (95%CI) for prevalences obtained, being plotted on maps by Federation Unit.Results: Data were obtained from 88.7 and 32.2% of Brazilian municipalities regarding anthropometry and food consumption, corresponding to 167,393 and 66,136 children, respectively. Compared to population distribution, the number of records was underestimated in the North and Northeast for anthropometry/consumption, with distinct proportions in the South for anthropometry and Southeast for consumption. The prevalences found were: EBF - 56.6% (95%CI 56.2-56.9); under L/A - 10.6% (95%CI 10.5-10.8); under W/A - 9.0% (95%CI 8.9-9.1); and under BMI/A - 5.8% (95%CI 5.7-6.0).Conclusions: The estimate of EBF in Brazil was similar to previous studies, but food consumption data still have low coverage, compromising the estimate in some locations. Regarding anthropometry, high rates of low L/A, W/A and BMI/A stood out in some states, considerably above the previous national estimate.
Highlights
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) occurs when the child receives only breast milk, directly from the breast or expressed, without other liquids or solids, with the exception of drops or syrups containing vitamins, oral rehydration salts, mineral supplements or medications
The estimate of EBF in Brazil was similar to previous studies, but food consumption data still have low coverage, compromising the estimate in some locations
Data from 4,945 municipalities were extracted in relation to anthropometry, which corresponds to 88.7% of Brazilian municipalities, and 1,793 in terms of food consumption, equivalent to 32.2%, with 167,393 children being evaluated in relation to anthropometry and 66,136 evaluated in relation to food consumption
Summary
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) occurs when the child receives only breast milk, directly from the breast or expressed, without other liquids or solids, with the exception of drops or syrups containing vitamins, oral rehydration salts, mineral supplements or medications. The World Health Organization (WHO), endorsed by the Ministry of Health of Brazil, recommends that breastfeeding should be exclusive for the first six months of life and that it be continued togetherwith complementary foods for up to two years or more.[1]. The prevalence of EBF in children under six months in Brazil has indicated an upward trend, with 34.2% in the period from 1986 to 2006, and 36.6% in 2013.4 Children who are breastfed for longer have lower morbidity and mortality from diarrhea, respiratory infections and otitis media, have increased intelligence and protection against being overweight and diabetes in the later life. There are benefits for breastfeeding mothers, by preventing breast and ovarian cancer and reducing the risk of developing diabetes.[5]
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