Patrón de alimentación e incorporación de alimentos complementarios en lactantes de una población de bajos recursos
Feeding pattern and incorporation of complementary foods in infants from a low- income population
Rev. chil. nutr; 40 (3), 2013
Publication year: 2013
In Argentina the information about the characteristics of complementary feeding is scarce. The objective of the present study was to determine the age of incorporation and type of complementary foods in the diet of infants from a population of low economic resources. The study was carried out at the Forres District Hospital, Santiago del Estero, Argentina, using a structured questionnaire. Breastfeeding mothers were interrogated during the children's periodic control visits. A total of 240 surveys at 5, 6 and 7 months post-partum were made. The average age of incorporation of foods was of 4.4 months. The first introduced foods were purée (potato and pumpkin, with broth or soup), soup (with wheat grits) and apple. The percentage of children consuming some type of gruel at 5 months was of 51%. At 7 months, 94% consumed gruels and 62.5% had milk bottles. About 40% ate the family stew (vegetables, noodles and meat) and 30%, a "mate" (Ilexparaguariensis) infusion with bread. An early incorporation of foods with inadequate energy and nutrients densities was observed. There was also an early ingestion of gluten and a high proportion of cow's milk consumption. This situation could affect the normal development of these children.
En Argentina existe escasa información sobre las características de la alimentación complementaria. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar la edad de inicio y tipo de alimentos complementarios incorporados en la dieta de lactantes, en una población de escasos recursos socio-económicos. El estudio se realizó en el Hospital Distrital de Forres, Santiago del Estero, utilizando una encuesta estructurada. Las madres en etapa de lactancia fueron interrogadas durante las visitas periódicas de control de sus hijos. Se realizaron 240 encuestas, a los 5, 6 y 7 meses post-parto. La edad promedio de incorporación de alimentos fue 4,4 meses.