Leticia Vidal1, Isabel Bove2, Gerónimo Brunet3, Alejandra Girona4, Florencia Alcaire1, Lucía Antúnez1, Gastón Ares1. 1. Sensometrics & Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, By Pass de Rutas 8 y 101 s/n, CP 91000Pando, Canelones, Uruguay. 2. UNICEF Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay. 3. Espacio Interdisciplinario, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay. 4. Departamento de Nutrición Básica, Escuela de Nutrición, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore Uruguayan paediatricians' personal recommendations about complementary feeding and to assess if they are aligned with current guidelines and scientific evidence. DESIGN: A questionnaire composed of open-ended questions was used to explore foods recommended to start complementary feeding, foods regarded as the most important during the first meals, recommendations for delayed introduction of foods and foods that should be avoided. Reasons underlying the recommendations were also explored. SETTING: Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay (Latin America). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 212 paediatricians were recruited during a National Pediatrics Conference, organised by the Uruguayan Society of Pediatrics. RESULTS: The recommendations about complementary feeding provided by paediatricians to parents and caregivers in Uruguay seemed not to be fully aligned with the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health. Paediatricians recommend a rigid food introduction sequence, characterised by the early introduction of soft pureed vegetables and fruits, followed by meat and the delayed introduction of allergenic foods. Food diversity and the concept of ultra-processed were not frequently identified in the responses. CONCLUSIONS: Results stress the importance of developing educational and communication approaches targeted at paediatricians to contribute to the uptake of updated recommendations regarding complementary feeding.
OBJECTIVE: To explore Uruguayan paediatricians' personal recommendations about complementary feeding and to assess if they are aligned with current guidelines and scientific evidence. DESIGN: A questionnaire composed of open-ended questions was used to explore foods recommended to start complementary feeding, foods regarded as the most important during the first meals, recommendations for delayed introduction of foods and foods that should be avoided. Reasons underlying the recommendations were also explored. SETTING: Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay (Latin America). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 212 paediatricians were recruited during a National Pediatrics Conference, organised by the Uruguayan Society of Pediatrics. RESULTS: The recommendations about complementary feeding provided by paediatricians to parents and caregivers in Uruguay seemed not to be fully aligned with the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health. Paediatricians recommend a rigid food introduction sequence, characterised by the early introduction of soft pureed vegetables and fruits, followed by meat and the delayed introduction of allergenic foods. Food diversity and the concept of ultra-processed were not frequently identified in the responses. CONCLUSIONS: Results stress the importance of developing educational and communication approaches targeted at paediatricians to contribute to the uptake of updated recommendations regarding complementary feeding.
Entities:
Keywords:
Child nutrition; Complementary feeding; Complementary foods; Health professionals
Authors: Juliana Sarmiento-Santos; Melissa B N Souza; Lydia S Araujo; Juliana M V Pion; Rosemary A Carvalho; Fernanda M Vanin Journal: Foods Date: 2022-05-07