Complementary feeding of children in the municipality of Farroupilha-RS: a comparative analysis between public and private schools
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12957/demetra.2025.85728Keywords:
Child Nutrition Sciences. Infant Nutrition. Feeding Behavior. Physiological Phenomena of Infant Nutrition. Complementary Feeding. Food Introduction.Abstract
Introduction: Complementary feeding is the child’s first exposure to foods other than breast milk, typically at six months of age. When introduced too early, too late, or inappropriately, it may compromise the child's healthy growth and development. Objective: To analyze complementary feeding practices among children attending one private and one public school in the city of Farroupilha, RS. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 25 children from a private school and 25 from a public school, all up to three years of age. Data were collected on caregivers, children, and on complementary feeding (caregiver age and education, the age at which children first received liquids and solid foods, among other variables). Differences between schools were assessed using Student’s t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, or Fisher’s exact test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: No significant difference was found in the average age of complementary feeding initiation between the two groups, with early introduction occurring in 32% of children in the private school and 40% in the public school. In both groups, fruit was the food group introduced earliest. In the public school, 38.9% of children consumed juice before 12 months of age, compared to 8% in the private school (p = 0.014). Sugar was consumed by 100% of public school children before 24 months, compared to 55% in the private school (p = 0.005). At 12 months of age, only 52.9% of public school children were eating food in pieces, compared to 100% of children in the private school (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Children continue to be introduced to foods either earlier or later than recommended, with a higher prevalence of inadequate practices regarding juice, sugar, and food consistency among public school children.
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