Práticas alimentares na infância e as suas implicações para a saúde pública

Abstract

Breastfeeding is a preventive strategy to reduce child deaths and promoting the health of children. Therefore, should be included among the priority health care. The supply of breast milk exclusively to children up to their sixth month of life, is able to meet all the nutritional needs of the baby is not associated in any other way of complement. But despite this proposal be adopted as public policy, in campaigns and health services, is still observed a high prevalence of early weaning in Brazil and, consequently, an early introduction of complementary foods. The study investigates the literature, existing publications on the eating habits of children and the implications. This is a narrative review, with data collection in June 2014. We used the descriptors: "complementary feeding" and "breastfeeding", selected being of twenty five articles in the sample of the study and were analyzed thematic content. The results pointed to the ignorance of mothers about the importance of maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding up to six months. The ratio of children's diet with the properties of food and damage to children's health, when inserted incorrectly. Still, it was identified that early weaning is sustained in cultural aspects. It follows that the adoption of preventive measures about nutrition education from pregnancy, breastfeeding and introduction of complementary feeding is necessary. These actions should be combined with the work of a multidisciplinary team and the strengthening of child care networks and your family.