Population-based approaches for monitoring the nurturing care environment for early childhood development: A scoping review.

Selecting indicators to monitor nurturing care (NC) environments that support decision-making and guide the implementation of integrated early childhood development (ECD) programmes has become a priority globally. Several population-based approaches have been attempted to create a set of indicators or a composite index methodology to measure the NC environment using existing secondary data. However, they have not been systematized. Our scoping review aimed to analyse the population-based approaches for monitoring the domains of the NC (e.g. good health, adequate nutrition, responsive caregiving, security and safety, and opportunities for early learning). ECD experts, peer-reviewed, and grey literature were systematically searched with no year or language restrictions. Data extraction used a standard predefined protocol. Thirty-two population-based approaches were identified. Most approaches were composed of a set of indicators (53.1%, n = 17) versus composite indexes (46.9%, n = 15) and had the country as their unit of analysis (68.8%, n = 22). Twenty-seven approaches were applied in middle-income countries (84.4%) and thirteen in low-income countries (40.6%). Four approaches were guided by the NC framework (12.5%), and 56.3% (n = 18) did not include any indicator representing responsive caregiving. NC indicators (n = 867) were sorted into 100 groups of indicators. Twenty of the 32 approaches had some kind of methodological validation (62.5%). We identified six methodological challenges to build a population-based approach. Standardized methods for selecting and validating indicators, and coordinated efforts to share findings/data with stakeholders should be prioritized. Given the great variability in methods and indicators used to measure NC environments, valid approaches should be flexible to work well across different contexts.

[Intergenerational perceptions and practices in breastfeeding and child feeding among quilombola women in Goiás State, Brazil]. / Percepções e práticas intergeracionais de mulheres quilombolas sobre aleitamento materno e alimentação infantil, Goiás, Brasil.

This exploratory qualitative study aimed to identify sociocultural and intergenerational aspects of perception and practices in child feeding among quilombola women, members of maroon communities in Brazil. A focus group with 12 mothers and another group with four grandmothers of children under five years of age were conducted in a rural quilombola community in the State of Goiás, Brazil. The data were analyzed with thematic content analysis, yielding four central themes and respective subthemes, which were then represented in a socioecological conceptual model with four levels of influence on child feeding as the outcome. Theme 1 dealt with the reasons for breastfeeding which included the child's health, financial issues, and positive maternal attitude toward breastfeeding. Theme 2 encompassed factors that negatively influence breastfeeding, such as the perception of "too little milk", use of teas, sequential pregnancy, and the child's characteristics. Theme 3 dealt with complementary feeding, generally introduced too early, including foods consumed by the family and ultra-processed foods. Theme 4 addressed the support network, consisting of the family and community dimension, featuring the grandmothers' role, acting in the intergenerational transmission of traditional knowledge and support for mothers, while health services, with educational activities related to breastfeeding, played a lesser role in quilombola women's decisions and practices. The promotion of adequate and healthy child feeding practices should address aspects of the quilombola women's sociocultural context and adopt emancipatory approaches, guaranteeing quality care for this population.

Estudo qualitativo exploratório com objetivo de identificar aspectos socioculturais e intergeracionais nas percepções e práticas sobre alimentação infantil entre mulheres quilombolas. Um grupo focal com 12 mães e outro com quatro avós de crianças menores de cinco anos foi realizado em uma comunidade quilombola rural em Goiás, Brasil. Para análise dos dados empregou-se análise de conteúdo na modalidade temática, da qual emergiram quatro temas centrais e respectivos subtemas, que foram posteriormente representados em modelo conceitual socioecológico com quatro níveis de influência sobre o desfecho da alimentação infantil. O tema 1 tratou dos motivos para amamentar que incluiu a saúde da criança, questões financeiras e sentimento materno positivo em relação à amamentação. O tema 2 englobou fatores que influenciam negativamente o aleitamento materno, como a percepção de "pouco leite", o uso de chás, nova gravidez da mãe e características da criança. O tema 3 tratou da alimentação complementar, geralmente introduzida precocemente, incluindo alimentos consumidos pela família e alimentos ultraprocessados. O tema 4 abordou a rede de suporte, composta pela dimensão familiar/comunitária, com destaque para o papel das avós, atuando na transmissão intergeracional de conhecimentos tradicionais e no apoio às mães, e os serviços de saúde, com oferta de ações educativas sobre aleitamento materno, tendo menor participação nas decisões e práticas das mulheres quilombolas. A promoção de práticas alimentares infantis adequadas e saudáveis precisa considerar aspectos do contexto sociocultural de mulheres quilombolas e se pautar em abordagens emancipatórias, garantindo uma atenção qualificada à essa população.

Se trata de un estudio cualitativo exploratorio, con el fin de identificar aspectos socioculturales e intergeneracionales en las percepciones y prácticas sobre alimentación infantil, entre mujeres quilombolas. Se formaron un grupo focal con 12 madres y otro con 4 abuelos de niños menores de cinco años en una comunidad quilombola rural en Goiás, Brasil. Para el análisis de datos se empleó el análisis de contenido en la modalidad temática, de la cual emergieron cuatro temas centrales, y sus respectivos subtemas, que estuvieron posteriormente representados en el modelo conceptual socioecológico con cuatro niveles de influencia sobre el resultado de la alimentación infantil. El tema 1 trató sobre los motivos para amamantar, que incluyó la salud del niño, cuestiones financieras y sentimiento materno positivo en relación con la lactancia materna. El tema 2 englobó factores que influencian negativamente la lactancia materna, como la percepción de "poca leche", el uso de infusiones, nuevo embarazo de la madre y características del niño. El tema 3 trató de la alimentación complementaria, generalmente introducida precozmente, incluyendo alimentos consumidos por la familia y alimentos ultraprocesados. El tema 4 abordó la red de apoyo, compuesta por la dimensión familiar/comunitaria, destacando el papel de las abuelas, actuando en la transmisión intergeneracional de conocimientos tradicionales y en el apoyo a las madres, así como los servicios de salud, con una oferta de acciones educativas sobre lactancia materna, teniendo menor participación en las decisiones y prácticas de las mujeres quilombolas. La promoción de prácticas alimentarias infantiles adecuadas y saludables necesita considerar aspectos del contexto sociocultural de mujeres quilombolas y pautarse en abordajes emancipatorios, garantizando una atención cualificada a esa población.

Family meal frequency and its association with food consumption and nutritional status in adolescents: A systematic review.

This systematic review evaluated the association between frequency of family meals (FFM) and nutritional status (NS) and/or food consumption (FC) in adolescents. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42017062180) and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. No publication date, language, or meal type restrictions were imposed. Only full-text original articles were included; qualitative studies were excluded. Studies were identified by searching 5 electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, BVS Brazil, and Adolec) and gray literature (Google Scholar) and by scanning reference lists of included articles. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for cohort and cross-sectional studies. Initial search yielded 2001 results and 47 articles were included. An updated literature search added 3 articles. Of the 50 studies included, 25 studied the association between FFM and NS, 32 investigated the association between FFM and FC, being that seven studies analyzed both outcomes. Thirty-four were cross-sectional studies, 12 were longitudinal studies, and 4 studies analyzed both cross-sectional and longitudinal data. Thirty-five studies were rated as having good quality, whereas 19 were of fair quality. Sample size ranged from 140 to 102 072 participants. Most investigations evaluated the frequency of breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner/supper/evening meals over a 1-week period. Seventeen studies identified a positive relationship between high FFM and better NS, and 26 found a positive association between high FFM and better FC. In conclusion, this review showed an association between FFM and healthy dietary patterns, such as increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. Further research is needed to understand the association between FFM and NS, since some studies showed a protective role of family meals against obesity in this age group, whereas other studies identified no significant association between these variables.

Percepções e práticas intergeracionais de mulheres quilombolas sobre aleitamento materno e alimentação infantil, Goiás, Brasil / Intergenerational perceptions and practices in breastfeeding and child feeding among quilombola women in Goiás State, Brazil / Percepciones y prácticas intergeneracionales de mujeres quilombolas sobre lactancia materna y alimentación infantil, Goiás, Brasil

Resumo: Estudo qualitativo exploratório com objetivo de identificar aspectos socioculturais e intergeracionais nas percepções e práticas sobre alimentação infantil entre mulheres quilombolas. Um grupo focal com 12 mães e outro com quatro avós de crianças menores de cinco anos foi realizado em uma comunidade quilombola rural em Goiás, Brasil. Para análise dos dados empregou-se análise de conteúdo na modalidade temática, da qual emergiram quatro temas centrais e respectivos subtemas, que foram posteriormente representados em modelo conceitual socioecológico com quatro níveis de influência sobre o desfecho da alimentação infantil. O tema 1 tratou dos motivos para amamentar que incluiu a saúde da criança, questões financeiras e sentimento materno positivo em relação à amamentação. O tema 2 englobou fatores que influenciam negativamente o aleitamento materno, como a percepção de "pouco leite", o uso de chás, nova gravidez da mãe e características da criança. O tema 3 tratou da alimentação complementar, geralmente introduzida precocemente, incluindo alimentos consumidos pela família e alimentos ultraprocessados. O tema 4 abordou a rede de suporte, composta pela dimensão familiar/comunitária, com destaque para o papel das avós, atuando na transmissão intergeracional de conhecimentos tradicionais e no apoio às mães, e os serviços de saúde, com oferta de ações educativas sobre aleitamento materno, tendo menor participação nas decisões e práticas das mulheres quilombolas. A promoção de práticas alimentares infantis adequadas e saudáveis precisa considerar aspectos do contexto sociocultural de mulheres quilombolas e se pautar em abordagens emancipatórias, garantindo uma atenção qualificada à essa população.

Abstract: This exploratory qualitative study aimed to identify sociocultural and intergenerational aspects of perception and practices in child feeding among quilombola women, members of maroon communities in Brazil. A focus group with 12 mothers and another group with four grandmothers of children under five years of age were conducted in a rural quilombola community in the State of Goiás, Brazil. The data were analyzed with thematic content analysis, yielding four central themes and respective subthemes, which were then represented in a socioecological conceptual model with four levels of influence on child feeding as the outcome. Theme 1 dealt with the reasons for breastfeeding which included the child's health, financial issues, and positive maternal attitude toward breastfeeding. Theme 2 encompassed factors that negatively influence breastfeeding, such as the perception of "too little milk", use of teas, sequential pregnancy, and the child's characteristics. Theme 3 dealt with complementary feeding, generally introduced too early, including foods consumed by the family and ultra-processed foods. Theme 4 addressed the support network, consisting of the family and community dimension, featuring the grandmothers' role, acting in the intergenerational transmission of traditional knowledge and support for mothers, while health services, with educational activities related to breastfeeding, played a lesser role in quilombola women's decisions and practices. The promotion of adequate and healthy child feeding practices should address aspects of the quilombola women's sociocultural context and adopt emancipatory approaches, guaranteeing quality care for this population.

Resumen: Se trata de un estudio cualitativo exploratorio, con el fin de identificar aspectos socioculturales e intergeneracionales en las percepciones y prácticas sobre alimentación infantil, entre mujeres quilombolas. Se formaron un grupo focal con 12 madres y otro con 4 abuelos de niños menores de cinco años en una comunidad quilombola rural en Goiás, Brasil. Para el análisis de datos se empleó el análisis de contenido en la modalidad temática, de la cual emergieron cuatro temas centrales, y sus respectivos subtemas, que estuvieron posteriormente representados en el modelo conceptual socioecológico con cuatro niveles de influencia sobre el resultado de la alimentación infantil. El tema 1 trató sobre los motivos para amamantar, que incluyó la salud del niño, cuestiones financieras y sentimiento materno positivo en relación con la lactancia materna. El tema 2 englobó factores que influencian negativamente la lactancia materna, como la percepción de "poca leche", el uso de infusiones, nuevo embarazo de la madre y características del niño. El tema 3 trató de la alimentación complementaria, generalmente introducida precozmente, incluyendo alimentos consumidos por la familia y alimentos ultraprocesados. El tema 4 abordó la red de apoyo, compuesta por la dimensión familiar/comunitaria, destacando el papel de las abuelas, actuando en la transmisión intergeneracional de conocimientos tradicionales y en el apoyo a las madres, así como los servicios de salud, con una oferta de acciones educativas sobre lactancia materna, teniendo menor participación en las decisiones y prácticas de las mujeres quilombolas. La promoción de prácticas alimentarias infantiles adecuadas y saludables necesita considerar aspectos del contexto sociocultural de mujeres quilombolas y pautarse en abordajes emancipatorios, garantizando una atención cualificada a esa población.

Promoção da Alimentação Saudável na Escola: realidade ou utopia? / Healthy eating promotion at school: reality or an utopy?

As políticas de promoção da alimentação saudável (PAS) reconhecem a escola como espaço privilegiado por sua contribuição para a conquista da autonomia e a adoção de hábitos saudáveis. Este estudo objetivou analisar a percepção e as ações na PAS realizadas por atores da comunidade escolar. Trata-se de estudo descritivo exploratório com abordagem qualitativa utilizando o grupo focal com diretores, coordenadores, professores, manipuladoras de alimentos e representantes do conselho escolar de seis escolas de nível fundamental de capital brasileira. Identificou-se uma visão biologicista da alimentação saudável e uma compreensão assistencialista da alimentação escolar. As atividades promotoras da alimentação saudável na escola estão restritas à abordagem de conteúdo específico pelos professores e modificações feitas no cardápio visando aumentar a aceitação das preparações. Sugerem-se mudanças na formação desses atores, tornando-os ativos na PAS no espaço escolar. Cabe à escola suscitar discussões sobre a construção coletiva do projeto pedagógico com vistas à inclusão transversal desse tema no currículo.

Health promotion policies acknowledge the school as a privileged framework space for enabling independent thinking and aiding in adopting healthy habits. This study analyzes the perception and actions on promoting healthy eating performed by actors of the school community. It is a descriptive exploratory study with a qualitative approach using focal groups involving principals, coordinators, teachers, food manipulators and school council representatives from six elementary level schools of a Brazilian capital city. The predominance of a biologicist understanding of healthy eating and an assistentialist comprehension of school feeding programs has been found through thematic content analysis. Healthy eating promotion in school is restricted to content-specific approach by teachers and by menu changes in the school menu, aimed at increasing students' acceptance. Changes are suggested in the training of these actors, as to stimulate a more active role in promoting healthy eating at school. It is up to the school to raise discussions about a collective construction of its pedagogical project so to include this topic transversally in the curriculum.