FEEDING IN THE TWO FIRST YEARS OF LIFE

We evaluated the feeding practices of children younger than two years. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2004-05. Data was obtained from the Population Study of Food Consumption in Belo Horizonte/ECAP-BH. The sample included 148 children younger than two years. We conducted interviews at home with mothers/guardians and surveyed the foods consumed in the past 24 hours, including breast milk and age at introduction of complementary feeding. The medians of exclusive and total breastfeeding were 60 and 150 days, respectively. The introduction of other types of milk and non-dairy foods occurred earlier. From a nutritional standpoint, the diets were unbalanced and iron was the most deficient nutrient in the first year of life. The results show the need to implement intervention measures in the municipal health services to promote healthy complementary feeding.