Avaliação do estado nutricional dos pré-escolares assistidos em creches e sua relação com o tempo e tipo de aleitamento

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to analyze the relationship of breastfeeding to the nutritional status of preschoolers in public day care centers. Materials and methods: Quantitative research with 160 preschoolers between two and six years of age from public day care centers in the city of Lagarto-SE. The parents of the children answered a questionnaire that included socioeconomic and food data. The nutritional diagnosis was identified based on the evaluation of anthropometric indicators involving weight, height, age and arm circumference according to the WHO, all these data were related to verify the relationship of breastfeeding with the nutritional status of the children. Results: The study indicates a positive relationship between exclusive breastfeeding up to six months and complemented up to two years of age and eutrophy at pre-school age. According to the anthropometric indicators: CB / I 60.6% (n = 97), P / I 91.3% (n =146), P / A 63.9% (n = 46) of the children were eutrophic and for A / I 94.4% (n = 151) were of adequate stature. For those over five years of age, the IMC / I indicator was used, which found that 80.7% (n = 71) of preschool children were eutrophic. Adequate weight was more prevalent in those who had exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months and supplemented up to 36 months. Conclusions: It is concluded that exclusive breastfeeding for six months and complemented by up to two years provides a more adequate nutritional status.