Time trends and social inequalities in infant and young child feeding practices: national estimates from Brazil's Food and Nutrition Surveillance System, 2008-2019.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the time trends and socio-economic inequalities in infant and young child feeding practices in accordance with the Brazilian deprivation index (BDI). DESIGN: This time-series study analysed the prevalence of multiple breast-feeding and complementary feeding indicators based on data from the Brazilian Food and Nutrition Surveillance System, 2008-2019. Prais-Winsten regression models were used to analyse time trends. Annual percent change (APC) and 95 % CI were calculated. SETTING: Primary health care services, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Totally, 911 735 Brazilian children under 2 years old. RESULTS: Breast-feeding and complementary feeding practices differed between the extreme BDI quintiles. Overall, the results were more favourable in the municipalities with less deprivation (Q1). Improvements in some complementary feeding indicators were observed over time and evidenced such disparities: minimum dietary diversity (Q1: Δ 47·8-52·2 %, APC + 1·44, P = 0·006), minimum acceptable diet (Q1: Δ 34·5-40·5 %, APC + 5·17, P = 0·004) and consumption of meat and/or eggs (Q1: Δ 59·7-80·3 %, APC + 6·26, P < 0·001; and Q5: Δ 65·7-70·7 %, APC + 2·20, P = 0·041). Stable trends in exclusive breast-feeding and decreasing trends in the consumption of sweetened drinks and ultra-processed foods were also observed regardless the level of the deprivation. CONCLUSIONS: Improvements in some complementary food indicators were observed over time. However, the improvements were not equally distributed among the BDI quintiles, with children from the municipalities with less deprivation benefiting the most.

Birth-to-childhood tracking of linear growth and weight gain in the MINA-Brazil Study / Autocorrelação do crescimento linear e ganho de peso do nascimento à infância no Estudo MINA-Brasil

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To investigate birth-to-childhood tracking of linear growth and weight gain across the distribution of length/height and weight for age z-scores and according to household wealth. METHODS: Data from 614 children from the MINA-Brazil Study with repeated anthropometric measurements at birth and up to age five years were used. Z-scores were calculated for length/height (HAZ) and weight (WAZ) according to international standards. Birth-to-childhood tracking was separately estimated using quantile regression models for HAZ and WAZ, extracting coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) at the 25th, 50th, and 75th quantiles. In a subgroup analysis, we estimated tracking between birth and age two years, and between ages two and five years. To investigate disparities in tracking, interaction terms between household wealth indexes (at birth and age five years) and newborn size z-scores were included in the models. RESULTS: Tracking coefficients were significant and had similar magnitude across the distribution of anthropometric indices at age five years (HAZ, 50th quantile: 0.23, 95%CI: 0.11 to 0.35; WAZ, 50th quantile: 0.31, 95%CI: 0.19 to 0.43). Greater tracking was observed between ages two and five years, with coefficients above 0.82. Significantly higher tracking of linear growth was observed among children from wealthier households, both at birth, at the lower bounds of HAZ distribution (25th quantile: 0.30, 95%CI: 0.13 to 0.56), and during childhood, in the entire HAZ distribution at five years. For weight gain, stronger tracking was observed at the upper bounds of WAZ distribution at age five years among children from wealthier households at birth (75th quantile: 0.59, 95%CI: 0.35 to 0.83) and during childhood (75th quantile: 0.54, 95%CI: 0.15 to 0.93). CONCLUSION: There was significant tracking of HAZ and WAZ since birth, with indication of substantial stability of nutritional status between ages two and five years. Differential tracking according to household wealth should be considered for planning early interventions for preventing malnutrition.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Investigar a autocorrelação do crescimento linear e ganho de peso do nascimento até a infância considerando a distribuição de escores z de comprimento/estatura e peso por idade e de acordo com a riqueza domiciliar. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados dados de 614 crianças do Estudo MINA-Brasil com medições antropométricas realizadas do nascimento até os cinco anos de idade. Escores z foram calculados para comprimento/estatura (HAZ) e peso (WAZ) seguindo padrões internacionais. A autocorrelação ou estabilidade da adequação do estado nutricional do nascimento à infância foi estimada por meio de modelos de regressão quantílica para HAZ e WAZ, separadamente, extraindo-se coeficientes e intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%) nos quantis 25, 50 e 75. Em uma análise de subgrupo, estimou-se a autocorrelação entre o nascimento até os dois anos de idade, e entre dois e cinco anos de idade. Para investigar disparidades na autocorrelação, termos de interação entre índices de riqueza familiar (ao nascer e aos cinco anos de idade) e escores z de tamanho do recém-nascido foram incluídos nos modelos. RESULTADOS: Os coeficientes de autocorrelação foram significantes e tiveram magnitude semelhante ao longo da distribuição dos índices antropométricos aos cinco anos de idade (HAZ, quantil 50: 0,23, IC95%: 0,11 a 0,35; WAZ, quantil 50: 0,31, IC95%: 0,19 a 0,43). Maior estabilidade do estado nutricional foi observada entre dois e cinco anos, com coeficientes acima de 0,82. Autocorrelação significantemente maior do crescimento linear foi observada entre as crianças de domicílios mais ricos, tanto ao nascer, nos limites inferiores da distribuição HAZ (quantil 25: 0,30, IC95%: 0,13 a 0,56) e durante a infância, em toda a distribuição HAZ aos cinco anos. Para o ganho de peso, observou-se uma autocorrelação mais forte nos limites superiores da distribuição do WAZ aos cinco anos de idade entre as crianças de domicílios mais ricos ao nascer (quantil 75: 0,59, IC95%: 0,35 a 0,83) e durante a infância (quantil 75: 0,54, IC95%: 0,15 a 0,93). CONCLUSÃO: Houve autocorrelação significante de HAZ e WAZ desde o nascimento, com indicação de substancial estabilidade do estado nutricional entre os dois e cinco anos de idade. A autocorrelação diferencial de acordo com a riqueza domiciliar deve ser considerada para o planejamento de intervenções precoces para prevenir a má nutrição.

Health outcomes of the Bolsa Família program among Brazilian Amazonian children.

OBJECTIVE: One of the primary objectives of Brazil's conditional cash transfer program, Bolsa Família, is to break the intergenerational transmission of poverty by improving human capital via conditionalities. In this study, we hypothesized that health indicators of Bolsa Família participants would be comparable to those of other local children who were nonparticipants after two years of follow-up in the city of Acrelândia, Acre state, Western Brazilian Amazon. METHODS: Data from a population-based longitudinal study were analyzed to examine school enrollment, vaccination coverage, height and body mass index for age z-scores, and biomarkers of micronutrient deficiencies (iron and vitamin A) between Bolsa Família participants (n = 325) and nonparticipants (n = 738). RESULTS: Out of 1063 children 10 years and younger included in the 2007 baseline survey, 805 had anthropometric measurements and 402 had biochemical indicators in the 2009 follow-up survey. Prevalence rate ratio (PRR) for non-enrollment in school at 4 years of age was 0.58 (95%CI: 0.34-1.02) when comparing Bolsa Família participants with nonparticipants. No difference was found for vaccination coverage, which was insufficient for most vaccine-preventable diseases. Bolsa Família participants were less likely to show a positive change in body mass index for age z-scores compared with nonparticipants (PRR = 0.81, 95%CI: 0.70-0.95), while a positive change in height for age z-scores was similar in the groups. No differences in micronutrient deficiencies were found between groups after 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Early school enrollment and consistent nutritional indicators between Bolsa Família participants and nonparticipants suggest Bolsa Família was facilitating similarities between groups over time.

Health outcomes of the bolsa família program among Brazilian Amazonian children

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE One of the primary objectives of Brazil's conditional cash transfer program, Bolsa Família, is to break the intergenerational transmission of poverty by improving human capital via conditionalities. In this study, we hypothesized that health indicators of Bolsa Família participants would be comparable to those of other local children who were nonparticipants after two years of follow-up in the city of Acrelândia, Acre state, Western Brazilian Amazon. METHODS Data from a population-based longitudinal study were analyzed to examine school enrollment, vaccination coverage, height and body mass index for age z-scores, and biomarkers of micronutrient deficiencies (iron and vitamin A) between Bolsa Família participants (n = 325) and nonparticipants (n = 738). RESULTS Out of 1063 children 10 years and younger included in the 2007 baseline survey, 805 had anthropometric measurements and 402 had biochemical indicators in the 2009 follow-up survey. Prevalence rate ratio (PRR) for non-enrollment in school at 4 years of age was 0.58 (95%CI: 0.34-1.02) when comparing Bolsa Família participants with nonparticipants. No difference was found for vaccination coverage, which was insufficient for most vaccine-preventable diseases. Bolsa Família participants were less likely to show a positive change in body mass index for age z-scores compared with nonparticipants (PRR = 0.81, 95%CI: 0.70-0.95), while a positive change in height for age z-scores was similar in the groups. No differences in micronutrient deficiencies were found between groups after 2 years. CONCLUSIONS Early school enrollment and consistent nutritional indicators between Bolsa Família participants and nonparticipants suggest Bolsa Família was facilitating similarities between groups over time.

Food categorizations among low-income women living in three different urban contexts: The pile sorting method.

Transformations in eating practices are reflected in the multiplicity of competing food-related discourses. These discourses contribute to different food categorizations among individuals. Scientists have long argued that food categorizations may help understanding cultural systems of health beliefs. However, not enough work has been conducted to improve the understanding of the dimensions of food categorizations and their interface with food choices, tastes, and culturally defined food systems. This study aims at describing and interpreting how low-income women living in three urban settings in Santos, Brazil, classify and give meaning to foods. We used the pile sorting method to investigate categorizations created by 90 women, following 6 steps: (1) creating units of analysis, (2) sorting the units of analysis into piles, (3) running multidimensional scaling analysis, (4) running cluster analyses on the multidimensional scaling coordinates, (5) labelling the clusters, and (6) analyzing consensus among the participants. The final solution to food categorizations comprised six clusters, namely: home meals, convenience foods, special meals, fish, breads and cereals, and hot dogs. Additionally, we observed four rationales for food categorization: frequency of consumption, degree of healthfulness, personal taste, and meals in which the food was usually part of. These categories highlight the importance of considering personal taste and the type of meal that the food is culturally consumed in, to propose meaningful interventions and appropriate education tools, towards promoting healthy eating practices, especially among vulnerable populations.

Underreporting of energy intake in Brazilian women varies according to dietary assessment: a cross-sectional study using doubly labeled water.

OBJECTIVE: Underreporting of energy intake is prevalent in food surveys, but there is controversy about which dietary assessment method provides greater underreporting rates. Our objective is to compare validity of self-reported energy intake obtained by three dietary assessment methods with total energy expenditure (TEE) obtained by doubly labeled water (DLW) among Brazilian women. DESIGN: We used a cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Sixty-five females aged 18 to 57 years (28 normal-weight, 10 overweight, and 27 obese) were recruited from two universities to participate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: TEE determined by DLW, energy intake estimated by three 24-hour recalls, 3-day food record, and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Regression and analysis of variance with repeated measures compared TEE and energy intake values, and energy intake-to-TEE ratios and energy intake-TEE values between dietary assessment methods. Bland and Altman plots were provided for each method. chi(2) test compared proportion of underreporters between the methods. RESULTS: Mean TEE was 2,622 kcal (standard deviation [SD]=490 kcal), while mean energy intake was 2,078 kcal (SD=430 kcal) for the diet recalls; 2,044 kcal (SD=479 kcal) for the food record and 1,984 kcal (SD=832 kcal) for the FFQ (all energy intake values significantly differed from TEE; P<0.0001). Bland and Altman plots indicated great dispersion, negative mean differences between measurements, and wide limits of agreement. Obese subjects underreported more than normal-weight subjects in the diet recalls and in the food records, but not in the FFQ. Years of education, income and ethnicity were associated with reporting accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: The FFQ produced greater under- and overestimation of energy intake. Underreporting of energy intake is a serious and prevalent error in dietary self-reports provided by Brazilian women, as has been described in studies conducted in developed countries.