Parents' knowledge about complementary feeding: an integrative review

Abstract

Abstract Currently, authorities and specialists in child development and public health have been concerned with the growth and nutritional status of children, especially due to the uncontrollable increase in overweight / obesity that has occurred in recent years. Obesity causes organic-functional complications, such as chronic-degenerative diseases (diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease), and psychosocial complications, such as withdrawal from social relationships, shame, exclusion and disturbances in body awareness. The objective was to identify in the literature the parents' knowledge about complementary feeding for infants. Integrative literature review based on the guidelines recommended by PRISMA. The search was carried out between the months of May and June 2017 by two researchers independently in the Scopus, PubMed, Scielo, LILACS and CINAHL databases. The following descriptors were used: “infant”, “complementary feeding”, “parents” and “knowledge” and “infant”, “complementary feeding”, “relatives” and “knowledge” in the DECs and MESH respectively. 1,012 studies were identified and a sample of 06 articles was obtained after applying the eligibility criteria. The knowledge evidenced was: use of appropriate utensils for feeding the child, not using cow's milk, caution with processed foods, issues related to breastfeeding and age of introduction of food and other liquids. Even so, there were still mistakes by parents regarding the recommendations of the main bodies dealing with food, such as the use of processed foods from the fourth month of life of the child and the relationship of the “fat” baby being the health model. It was concluded that the knowledge of parents / caregivers about complementary feeding is still permeated by mistakes. Thus, the nursing consultation should focus on health education and search for strategies that facilitate the process of introducing complementary feeding and help parents in this period. Key messages Targeting health strategies on complementary feeding in a timely manner. Guidance for the prevention of obesity in early childhood and the development of non-infectious diseases.