Feeding and nutritional profiles of children at 12 months of age living in the western region of the city of São Paulo: The Procriar Project

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the feeding profiles, nutritional statuses and influences of maternal characteristics on food consumption of infants at the end of the first year of life. Methods This is a cross-sectional study nested within a cohort of pregnant women that evaluated children with a mean age of 12.1 months. The weights and lengths were measured, and the body mass index was calculated. Food consumption was obtained through 24-hour recall and was assessed qualitatively. The outcomes studied dichotomously (yes/no) were overweight (body mass index ≥+2 Z-scores), consumption of foods considered unhealthy (i.e., sugar, petit suisse cheese, sandwich crackers, and soft drinks), consumption of fruits, legumes and vegetables and a minimum acceptable diet composed of minimum dietary diversity and minimum meal frequency. Logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate the association between maternal variables and the outcomes studied. Results A total of 254 infants were evaluated, of whom 10.7% were overweight. The majority of the infants did not receive a minimum acceptable diet (58.7%), 28.0% consumed petit suisse cheese and 42.0% received added sugar in their preparations. Mothers less than 20 years old or with more schooling were more likely to offer unhealthy foods to their children (.=0.03). Fruits, legumes and vegetables (consumption was higher among children of mothers over 20 years old (.=0.04). Conclusion The study revealed a high prevalence of overweight and an inadequacy of food consumption among children. The finding that adolescent mothers and/or mothers with more schooling tend to offer inadequate food to children may favor the definition of specific educational strategies.