Introdução da alimentação complementar em crianças a partir dos seis meses de idade após intervenção nutricional

Abstract

This study aim to investigate the main aspects related to the practice of complementary feeding in children with 6 months or older born in a hospital in Itaqui-RS. The population consisted of mothers who delivered between July and November 2012, participants of a intervention project about infant feeding. This cross-sctional study was performed by applying a questionnaire on breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and sociodemographic data in individual interviews with the mothers. We evaluated 20 mothers, aged 21-30 years (50%), most with high school education, and family income of a minimum wage per person. Regarding the characteristics of the child, we found 55% male, aged 11 months (35%). There was breastfeeding prevalence at birth of 95%, and exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months reported by 70% of respondents. It was observed that the introduction of complementary feeding among the children studied was around the sixth month of age. In the assessment of dietary intake was found low consumption, especially of fruit and vegetables for the children. The results of this study demonstrate the importance of carrying out actions to promote breastfeeding and complementary feeding healthy for adequate child growth and development.