Influence of the Bolsa Família program on nutritional status and food frequency of schoolchildren
Journal Title: Jornal de Pediatria - Year 2016, Vol 92, Issue 4
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the food frequency and nutritional status among students according to participation in the Bolsa Família program funded by the government. Methods Cross-sectional study carried out with students from the fourth grade of elementary school in the municipal capital of the southeastern region of Brazil. Food consumption and anthropometry were investigated by a questionnaire administered in school, while participation in the Bolsa Família program and other socio-economic information was obtained through a protocol applied to mothers/guardians. Statistical analysis included the Mann–Whitney test, the chi-squared test, and Poisson regression with robust variance, and the 5% significance level was adopted. Results There were 319 children evaluated; 56.4% were male, with a median of 9.4 (8.6–11.9) years, and 37.0% were beneficiaries of Bolsa Família program. Between the two groups, there was high prevalence of regular soda consumption (34.3%), artificial juice (49.5%), and sweets (40.3%), while only 54.3% and 51.7% consumed fruits and vegetables regularly, respectively. Among participants of Bolsa Família program, a prevalence 1.24 times higher in the regular consumption of soft drinks (95% CI: 1.10–1.39) was identified compared to non-beneficiaries. The prevalence of overweight was higher in the sample (32.9%), with no difference according to participation in the program. Conclusion The study found increased consumption of soft drinks among BFP participants. The high rate of overweight and poor eating habits denote the need to develop actions to promote healthy eating, especially for the beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família program, to promote improvements in nutritional status and prevent chronic diseases throughout life.
Authors and Affiliations
Ariene do Carmo
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP513695
- DOI 10.1016/j.jped.2015.10.008
- Views 71
- Downloads 0
The pediatrician's role in the first thousand days of the child: the pursuit of healthy nutrition and development
Objectives To describe the concept of the first 1000 days, its importance for health, and actions to be implemented, particularly by pediatricians, in order to attain healthy nutrition and development. Sources A nonsyst...
Fibrinogen: cardiometabolic risk marker in obese or overweight children and adolescents
Objectives To determine the prevalence of increased serum fibrinogen levels and its association with cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight or obese children and adolescents. Methods Cross-sectional study with 138 c...
Atypical manifestations of Epstein–Barr virus in children: a diagnostic challenge
Objective Clarify the frequency and the pathophysiological mechanisms of the rare manifestations of Epstein–Barr virus infection. Sources Original research studies published in English between 1985 and 2015 were selecte...
Characterization of mortality in children with sickle cell disease diagnosed through the Newborn Screening Program
Objective To characterize the deaths of 193 children with sickle cell disease screened by a neonatal program from 1998 to 2012 and contrast the initial years with the final years. Methods Deaths were identified by activ...
Effects of soy beverage and soy-based formula on growth, weight, and fecal moisture: experimental study in rats
Objective To compare body growth, weight, and fecal moisture in recently weaned rats fed exclusively on infant soy formula and soy-based beverage. Methods Three similar groups were formed (n=10/group) consisting of wean...