Jiménez ASM, Martin GI, Rodríguez SA, Silvera TD, Díaz EM, lfonso FK, Mendiburt SDM, Rojas RY

Language: Spanish
References: 0
Page: 3-23
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ABSTRACT

Introduction: The first two years of life are crucial to develop a preference for certain foods. Food guides have become a universal tool to develop food policies and to teach the population about the most adequate ways to healthful eating. It is necessary to know the actual composition of the foods consumed, and those guides are useful to obtain such information.
Objectives: Estimate food consumption, the adequacy of energy and nutrient intake, and compliance with the food portions recommended in Cuban food guides for children aged 6-23 months in the province of Sancti Spiritus, Cuba, in the year 2016.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted based on random sampling by the procedure of two-stage cluster analysis. The sample was composed of 505 children. Sociodemographic information was obtained about the children and their family environment. A 24-hour recall food intake survey was applied and estimation was made of compliance of the food portions consumed with those recommended in food guides for children under two years of age.
Results: The first food other than milk which was offered to infants was starchy root vegetables (63.5 %), followed by meat (43.4 %). Breastfeeding until one year of age was 27.3 %, whereas in the 1-2 year group it was 17.9 %. Low intake was observed of the vegetable, fruit, fat and egg portions recommended in Cuban food guides. 59.8 % of the children aged under one year and 35 % of those in the 1-2 year group exceeded the recommended daily energy intake.
Conclusions: It was found that children aged 6-23 months did not comply with the food portions recommended for healthy eating.