ABSTRACT
Objetivo: Identificar praticas alimentares cariogenicas e estimar os fatores associados ao consumo de guloseimas entre as refeicoes em pre-escolares de Ijui-RS. Metodo: A amostra consisti u em 481 criancas de 0 a 6 anos pertencentes a 12 pre-escolas deste municipio, sorteadas aleatoriamente. O instrumento de pesquisa foi questionario estruturado respondido pelos pais, que avaliou variaveis demograficas, socioeconomicas e as seguintes praticas alimentares: idade de introducao do acucar e o comportamento de consumir guloseimas (doces ou salgadinhos) entre as refeicoes. Foi utilizada regressao de Poisson com variancia robusta para identificar e quantificar os fatores associados ao consumo de guloseimas entre as refeicoes. Resultados: Aproximadamente 90% das criancas da amostra tiveram o acucar introduzido na dieta antes de completar o primeiro ano de vida. Alem disso, 3/4 dos pre-escolares consomem guloseimas entre as refeicoes, nao havendo diferenca entre os sexos, categorias de renda e estruturacao familiar. O modelo multivariavel mostrou que a probabilidade de consumir guloseimas entre as refeicoes foi 16% maior em criancas de 5 a 6 anos em relacao as criancas de ate 2 anos (RP=1,16; IC 95%= 1,00?1,34) e 14% maior quando a mae tinha 4 anos ou menos de escolaridade (RP=1,14; IC 95%= 1,01-1,29) em relacao as maes com mais de 8 anos de estudo. Fazer chantagem para receber guloseimas aumentou em 72% a probabilidade deste comportamento (RP= 1,72; IC 95%= 1,46-2,03). Conclusao: A introducao de acucar e precoce nesta populacao e um percentual elevado dos pre-escolares consome guloseimas entre as refeicoes, estando este desfecho associado a maior idade da crianca, menor escolaridade materna e comportamento da crianca. Programas preventivos devem incluir orientacao para praticas alimentares desde o primeiro ano de vida, especialmente para maes com menor escolaridade.
Objective: To identify cariogenic feeding habits and estimate the factors associated with the consumption of snacks between meals in preschoolers from the city of Ijui, RS, Brazil. Method: The sample was composed of 481 children aged 0 to 6 years attending 12 preschools of this city, chosen at random. The research instrument was a structured questionnaire filled out by the parents, which assessed demographic and socioeconomic data and information on feeding habits (age of introduction of sugar in the diet and consumption of sweet and salty snacks between meals). Poisson's regression with robust variance was used to identify and quantify the factors associated with the consumption of snacks between meals. Results: Approximately 90% of the children had sugar introduced in their diet before 1 year of age. In addition, ó of the preschoolers consume sweets between meals, without statistically significant difference between genders, income levels and family structure. The multi variable model showed that the probability of consuming snacks between meals was 16% higher in 5-6-year-old children compared to those up to the age of 2 (PR=1.16; 95% CI= 1.00-1.34), and 14% higher when the mother's educational level was up to 4 years (PR=1.14; 95% CI= 1.01-1.29) compared to those with more than 8 years of school education. Blackmailing to receive snacks increased in 72% the probability of this behavior (PR= 1.72; 95% CI= 1.46-2.03). Conclusion: The introduction of sugar was premature in the studied population, and a high percentage of the preschoolers were found to eat snacks between meals. This outcome is associated with older children, low maternal educational level, and child's behavior. Preventive programs must include diet counseling since the first year of life, especially for mothers with low educational level.