Trends in Complementary Feeding Indicators in Children Aged 6–23 Months According to Participation in a Conditional Cash Transfer Program: Data from the Brazilian Food and Nutrition Surveillance System, 2015–2019

Abstract

Inadequate practices during complementary feeding are associated with malnutrition, especially in children experiencing vulnerable conditions and social inequality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the trends in complementary feeding indicators (CFIs) according to participation in a Brazilian cash transferu program—the Bolsa Família Program (BFP). This was a time-series study with secondary data from 600,138 children assisted from 2015 to 2019 and registered within the Brazilian Food and Nutrition Surveillance System. The CFIs assessed were food introduction, minimum meal frequency and appropriate consistency, minimum dietary diversity, iron-rich food, vitamin A-rich food, ultra-processed food consumption, and zero vegetable or fruit consumption. Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the CFIs according to BFP, the region of residence, and the child’s age. The Prais–Winsten regression method was used to analyze the temporal trend. There was a steady trend for all CFIs of a healthy diet. A decrease in ultra-processed food consumption for both BFP (−10.02%) and non-BFP children (−9.34%) was observed over the years. Children residing in the North and Northeast regions and those enrolled in the BFP were more distant from the recommended feeding practices when compared to the other regions and non-BFP children. The results highlight the relevance of nutritional surveillance and the need to improve food and nutrition public policies for children aged 6–23 months, particularly for those experiencing greater social vulnerability.