El inicio de la alimentación complementaria en el pueblo originario qom / The initiation of complementary feeding among Qom indigenous people

Después de los primeros seis meses de vida, la lactancia materna ya no cubre las necesidades energéticas ni de micronutrientes del infante, por lo que es necesario ofrecer alimentos complementarios apropiados. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el momento y la adecuación de la introducción de la alimentación complementaria en una población qom/toba y analizar las concepciones socioculturales que las familias tienen sobre la alimentación complementaria. Se recabaron datos cuantitativos y cualitativos por medio de observación participante y de encuestas semiestructuradas a madres de niños/as de 0 a 2 años. Los qom practican lactancia materna a demanda y prolongada. La mayoría de los niños/as tiene un adecuado estado nutricional e inicia la alimentación complementaria alrededor de los 6 meses, siguiendo normas del centro de salud local e internacionales. Sin embargo, debido principalmente a factores socioeconómicos, los alimentos elegidos como suplementos de la lactancia materna son de relativamente escaso valor nutricional.

As of six months of life, breastfeeding no longer covers an infant's energy or micronutrient needs, so appropriate complementary feeding should be provided. The objective of this study was to assess the time and adequacy for introducing complementary feeding in a Qom/Toba population and analyze the sociocultural concepts of families regarding complementary feeding. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected by participant observation and semistructured surveys administered to mothers of 0-2 year old infants. Qom breastfeed their infants long term and on demand. Most infants have an adequate nutritional status and start complementary feeding at around 6 months old as per the local health center and international standards. However, mostly due to socioeconomic factors, foods chosen to complement breastfeeding have a relatively scarce nutritional value

The initiation of complementary feeding among Qom indigenous people.

As of six months of life, breastfeeding no longer covers an infant's energy or micronutrient needs, so appropriate complementary feeding should be provided. The objective of this study was to assess the time and adequacy for introducing complementary feeding in a Qom/Toba population and analyze the sociocultural concepts of families regarding complementary feeding. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected by participant observation and semistructured surveys administered to mothers of 0-2 year old infants. Qom breastfeed their infants long term and on demand. Most infants have an adequate nutritional status and start complementary feeding at around 6 months old as per the local health center and international standards. However, mostly due to socioeconomic factors, foods chosen to complement breastfeeding have a relatively scarce nutritional value.

The initiation of complementary feeding among Qom indigenous people. / The initiation of complementary feeding among Qom indigenous people.

As of six months of life, breastfeeding no longer covers an infants energy or micronutrient needs, so appropriate complementary feeding should be provided. The objective of this study was to assess the time and adequacy for introducing complementary feeding in a Qom/Toba population and analyze the sociocultural concepts of families regarding complementary feeding. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected by participant observation and semistructured surveys administered to mothers of 0-2 year old infants. Qom breastfeed their infants long term and on demand. Most infants have an adequate nutritional status and start complementary feeding at around 6 months old as per the local health center and international standards. However, mostly due to socioeconomic factors, foods chosen to complement breastfeeding have a relatively scarce nutritional value.