Consumo alimentar na primeira infância e sua relação com o contexto familiar nos domicílios brasileiros

Abstract

The early years of life are a period of intense physical and cognitive transformations, during which individuals are susceptible to various influences at the family, social, educational, or media levels. Considering the first thousand days of life, which include the first two years as a sensitive phase for interference and habit formation, it is evident that there is an increasing introduction of processed foods and foods high in sugar into children's diets. Therefore, it is important to study parental influence on children's nutrition, whether it involves positive or negative dietary habits, as well as the ability of stakeholders to enact changes in dietary patterns. The family environment can be considered a vast learning field for the child, significantly impacting the development of good eating habits and food culture. This approach can impact child health by mitigating the onset of illnesses. Other factors, such as socioeconomic and cultural conditions, can also contribute to the process of forming dietary patterns for the child and, in the future, the adult. This research aims to evaluate the relationship between children's eating habits and family habits, considering households and their residents. The context of nutritional transition in recent years, with increased consumption of high-calorie and processed foods related to the growth of overweight and obesity, has created a need for studies on health determinants. This study used secondary data from the National Health Survey (2019). Among the results, it is highlighted that family income, education and intake are primarily related to the consumption of healthy and ultra-processed foods. This study may provide relevant evidence to public health and the nutritional landscape, potentially supporting public policies and guiding government plans for childhood, health surveillance, and the human right to adequate food.