Evaluation of the Food Introduction of Children Assisted by a Primary Health Care Unit of Fortaleza, Ceará

Abstract

Introduction: The introduction of food in an appropriate way influences the nutritional status in the first years of life and in a better quality of life.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the food introduction of children under two years old.

Methods: The research took place in a Primary Health Care Unit (UAPS) in Fortaleza, Ceará, and was based on a form inspired by the ten steps to healthy eating, with questions about eating habits and the socioeconomic situation for parents or child’s guardians. The findings were presented in the form of percentages, means, standard deviation and, for a better understanding of the sample studied, the values were also organized and presented in quartiles.

Results: 70 children were evaluated, who had an average time of exclusive breastfeeding of 4.0 ± 3.0 months, most of them located in the 3rd quartile. The first foods offered to children, in addition to breast milk, were fruits with 24.3% and secondly, infant formula with 18.6%, followed by vegetable soup 7.1% and juices 5.7%.

Conclusion: In addition to the early introduction of food, several dietary errors were identified, such as the consistency and offer of sweets and treats, suggesting the need for nutritional monitoring.