Fatores associados à introdução alimentar em menores de 6 meses

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the foods introduced before six months and the factors associated with the introduction.

Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out with 110 infants under 6 months, whose mothers answered questionnaire containing sociodemographic variables, health care, guidance on breastfeeding and food consumption of water, tea, cow's milk, infant formula, porridge, fruit juice and fruit. Statistical analysis was performed in the Epi Info Program 3.0. The variables were expressed as relative frequencies and we applied the Chi-square test to compare the sociodemographic factors with food introduced considering smaller significance level of 5%.

Results: Only 28.2% of infants was in exclusive breastfeeding. The most consumed foods besides breast milk (79.1%) were infant formula (60.0%) and water (46.4%), followed by tea (14.5%), fruit juice (10.0%), and less introduction the porridge 0.9%), cow's milk (1.8%) and fruits (1.8%) and it was observed that only the frequency of consumption fruits was higher among women who had more education. The consumption of all foods was similar according to mother’s age and work status.

Conclusions: There was a high rate of early weaning and consuming other foods in infants who should be received only breast milk, regardless of the sociodemographic characteristics of the family.