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Resumen Introducción. La Organización Mundial de la Salud recomienda iniciar la lactancia materna (LM) durante la primera hora de vida del bebé, continuar su práctica de manera exclusiva hasta los seis meses y complementarla con una adecuada alimentación hasta los dos años o más. En Colombia los índices de LM son bajos, lo cual se debe, en parte, a que existen muchas creencias que dificultan su práctica efectiva. Objetivo. Identificar las creencias respecto a la LM y confirmar si hay o no evidencia científica que las soporte. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura en diferentes bases de datos y en otras fuentes bibliográficas. Se buscaron estudios y documentos sobre creencias en torno a la LM publicados entre 2007 y 2017 y que estuvieran escritos en inglés, español y portugués. Resultados. La búsqueda inicial arrojó 235 registros, pero solo 50 cumplieron los criterios de inclusión, los cuales fueron agrupados en 4 categorías de creencias: 3 establecidas por la Unicef (creencias respecto a la madre, a la calidad de la leche y a lo que necesita el bebé) y 1 establecida por las autoras (otras creencias). Conclusiones. La mayoría de creencias carecen de fundamento científico y se basan en falsas ideas transmitidas de generación en generación. Por lo tanto, se deben reforzar los programas de educación en LM ofrecidos a las madres gestantes y lactantes, así como a su red de apoyo, con el fin de desmitificar creencias que entorpecen la práctica efectiva de la LM.
Abstract Introduction: The World Health Organization recommends initiating breastfeeding within the first hour after delivery, keeping it exclusive until the age of 6 months, and complementing it with appropriate food until the age of 2 years or above. In Colombia, breastfeeding rates are low due, in part, to the fact that there are many beliefs that hinder its effective practice. Objective: To identify beliefs regarding breastfeeding and confirm whether or not there is scientific evidence that supports them. Materials and methods: A literature review was carried out in databases and other sources. Studies and documents on breastfeeding published between 2007 and 2017 and written in English, Spanish and Portuguese were included. Results: The initial search yielded 235 records, yet only 50 met the inclusion criteria. These studies were grouped into 4 beliefs categories: 3 established by UNICEF (beliefs about the mother, milk quality and baby needs) and 1 established by the authors (other beliefs). Conclusions: Most beliefs have no scientific basis and derive from false beliefs that have been transmitted from generation to generation. Therefore, breastfeeding education programs offered to mothers during and after pregnancy, as well as their support network, should be strengthened in order to demystify any belief that hinders the effective practice of breastfeeding.
Subject(s)
Humans , Breast Feeding , Religion , Food Taboo , Culture , Protective FactorsABSTRACT
Adequate nutrition is important for mothers and their offspring during and after birth. This cross sectional study was conducted to determine nutritional status and nutritional knowledge of pregnant women from two selected private hospitals in Klang Valley, Malaysia. A total of 236 Malay pregnant women aged between 20 to 45 years old (mean age 31+5 years) were recruited through convenient sampling method. Socio-demographic data, nutritional knowledge and a 24-hours diet recall were obtained through a self-administered questionnaire. Anthropometric and haemoglobin data were obtained from the antenatal records in the respective hospitals. The percentages of participants who were underweight, normal, overweight and obese before pregnancy were 12.7%, 55.1%, 25.0% and 7.2% respectively. Among those who were obese before pregnancy, a total of 59.7% had inadequate weight gain, 24.6% gained adequate weight and 15.7% gained excessive gestational weight. About 33.5% of subjects were anaemic (Hb < 11.0g/dL). The mean daily energy intake of the participants was 1748 ± 526 kcal which was 76% of RNI. Calcium (73% of RNI), folic acid (36% of RNI), niacin (89% of RNI) and vitamin D (40% of RNI). The nutritional knowledge level of subjects was moderate (51.9 ± 13.8%). Lower monthly household income (p < 0.001), educational level (p < 0.001) and gestational stage (p < 0.05) of participants were associated with a lower nutritional knowledge level. Nutritional knowledge score was positively correlated with gestational weight gain (r = 0.166, p < 0.05) and haemoglobin level (r = 0.200, p < 0.05). Subjects who claimed practising food taboos had higher nutritional knowledge score (54.9 ± 12.5%) than those who did not (49.9 ± 14.4%)(p < 0.05). A comprehensive nutrition education should be integrated in the antenatal classes to improve nutritional status of pregnant women
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INTRODUÇÃO: O leite materno é a melhor e mais adequada fonte de nutrientes, fatores de proteção e fortalecimento emocional para o lactente durante o seu primeiro ano de vida. A cultura, a crença e os tabus têm influenciado de forma crucial a prática do aleitamento materno, principalmente, quanto à alimentação da nutriz. OBJETIVO: Este trabalho teve por objetivo identificar as restrições alimentares às quais se submetem as puérperas, acreditando contribuir favoravelmente para a sua saúde e a do bebê. MÉTODO: Estudo realizado com 30 mães atendidas em uma maternidade pública no município de São Paulo. Aplicou-se um questionário com perguntas abertas para avaliação das atitudes e práticas em amamentação, especialmente relacionadas à restrição alimentar materna. RESULTADOS: Os dados encontrados neste estudo apontaram para a existência de tabus e crenças com relação à alimentação durante a lactação. Os alimentos mais citados como restritos foram: refrigerantes (43%), alimentos gordurosos (37%), bebidas alcoólicas (27%), seguidos de chocolate (20%), pimenta (20%)e café (17%). O principal motivo alegado para que tais alimentos não fossem consumidos foi a possibilidade de causar cólicas na criança. Por outro lado, os alimentos citados como benéficos para a lactação foram frutas, verduras e legumes (43%) e leite e derivados (43%). CONCLUSÕES: Não foram identificadas restrições alimentares preocupantes ligadas às crenças das entrevistadas, porém reforça-se aqui a necessidade de orientações adequadas às lactantes dentro de um sólido e eficiente programa de educação nutricional, afastando os fatores que possam colaborar com o desmame precoce.
INTRDUCTION: Breast milk is undoubtedly the best and most appropriate source of nutrients, protective factors and emotional strength to the infant duringits first year of life. Culture, belief and taboos have crucially influenced the practice of breastfeeding, especially on the mother nourishment. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to identify possible dietary restrictions which the mothers undergo, believing they are contributing positively to their health and herbaby. METHOD: This study was conducted with 30 mothers attended in a public maternity hospital in São Paulo. It was applied a questionnaire with open questions to assess attitudes and practices on breastfeeding, especially related to maternal food self-restriction. RESULTS: The results of this study point to the existence of taboos and beliefs regarding nutrition during lactation. The foods most commonly cited as restricted were: soft drinks (43%), fatty foods (37%), alcohol (27%), followed by chocolate (20%), pepper (20%) and coffee (17%). The main reasons given for such food abstinence were the chance to cause colic in children. Moreover, foods cited as beneficial for lactation were fruits and vegetables (43%) and dairy (43%). CONCLUSION: There were no dietary restrictions identified related to the personal beliefs of the interviewees, but it is emphasized the need for appropriate guidelines for lactating women in a solid and efficient nutrition education program in health, removing the factors that could contribute to early weaning.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Pregnant Women , Breast Feeding , Maternal Nutrition , Food Taboo , Cross-Sectional Studies , Hospitals, MaternityABSTRACT
Faz-se breve comentário sobre muitas informações equivocadas sobre nutrição.
A brief comment on many misinformation about nutrition.
Subject(s)
Humans , Diet , Feeding Behavior , Food TabooABSTRACT
<b>Introduction</b><br> During the course of primary health care activities in Khammouane province of Lao PDR by non- profit organization, international support and partnership for health, an exceedingly high infant mortality rate was recognized in some villages. As thiamine deficiency was strongly suspected for the main cause of the high mortality, the household survey with an emphasis on nutritional aspect and the measurement of thiamine level in the blood of mothers as well as their breast-milk were carried out for the confirmation.<br><b>Methods</b><br> The survey was conducted at Sibounhouane sub-district (Group 1) with the highest infant mortality and Hatkhamhieng sub-district (Group 2) with the lowest mortality. Fifty families of the two groups, each consisting of randomly selected 25 families with less than one year old infant(s) were interviewed by using prepared questionnaire. The body weight of both mother and infant was measured and blood and milk were taken from the mother.<br><b>Results</b><br> The ethnic minorities of the group 1 consisted of Lao Lum (44%) and Lao Theung (56%), whereas only Lao Lum in the group 2. The economical indicators and the mother's educational level in the group 1 were inferior to those in the group 2. There was no significant difference in the methods of preparing staple glutinous rice, likely to flux thiamine and intake of thiaminases between the two groups. High infant mortality rate was documented in the group 1 whose clinical symptoms were mostly consistent with those of infantile beriberi. The concentration of thiamine in the blood and milk of mothers in both groups were considerably lower and significant reduction of thiamine level was observed in the group 1 than the group 2. Nevertheless, both groups of those infants tended to be inadequately fed with the foods except for breast-milk during their early infantile phase.<br><b>Conclusions</b><br> The low concentration of thiamine in the blood and milk of mothers was strongly suggestive that infantile beriberi due to thiamine deficiency was the principal cause of the infant mortality in the study region. We hereby surmise that thiamine deficiency could be extensively prevalent in Lao PDR than the currently studied areas because of their traditional preparing methods of staple dietary rice, postpartum food taboos and intake of thiaminases. For the prevention of infant death due to severe thiamine deficiency, necessary measures including the exchange of information among the institutions concerned, adequate thiamine supplementation and nutritional counseling have to be urgently adopted.
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<b><big>Introduction</big></b><br>Women in northeast Asian countries follow special practices during prenatal and postnatal periods. The traditional ‘<i>Yu fai</i>’ custom in Thailand includes a food taboo known as <i>kalum</i>.This paper intends to describe the unknown details of parturient women's traditional taboos in northeast Thailand.<br><b><big>Methods</big></b><br>Ethnographic semistructured interviews in the Thai language were conducted in February 2006 with 10 women in northeast Thailand who had babies ranging in age from newborn to 6 years. <br><b><big>Results</big></b><br>The purpose of <i>Yu fai</i> is to enable a mother who has recently undergone parturition to recover her pregestation physical and mental conditions following childbirth. Some new mothers will complain of bad health if they fail to apply <i>Yu fai</i>. Certain food taboos and recommendations are part of the <i>Yu fai</i> practice, and each has a specific context based on traditional beliefs.<br><b><big>Conclusions</big></b><br>The three objectives of <i>Yu fai</i> are identified as follows: to recover the mother's body to its usual pregestation condition; to enable sufficient breast milk or the capability for future pregnancies; to endure a long and healthy life. Applying <i>Yu fai</i> will influence a mother's lifetime health conditions after childbirth. Each of the prohibited or recommended food items is the result of specific contexts based on traditional beliefs. However, <i>Yu fai</i> is now changing, along with urbanization and improved communications, even in the rural areas of northeast Thailand.