Influence of the Bolsa Família program on nutritional status and food frequency of schoolchildren

• Published in: Jornal de pediatria Vol. 92; no. 4; pp. 381 - 387
• Main Authors: do Carmo, Ariene Silva, de Almeida, Lorena Magalhães, de Oliveira, Daniela Rodrigues, dos Santos, Luana Caroline
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Elsevier Editora Ltda 01.07.2016; Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anthropometry; Antropometria; Brazil; Carbonated Beverages; Child; Children; Consumo alimentar; Crianças; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet; Feeding Behavior; Female; Food consumption; Fruit; Fruit and Vegetable Juices; Government programs; Government Programs - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Income - statistics & numerical data; Male; Nutrition Assessment; Nutritional Status; PEDIATRICS; Programas governamentais; Public Assistance - statistics & numerical data; Socioeconomic Factors; Statistics, Nonparametric; Vegetables; Government programs; Anthropometry; Antropometria; Consumo alimentar; Children; Food consumption; Crianças; Programas governamentais
• ISSN: 0021-7557; 1678-4782; 1678-4782
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jped.2015.10.008

To evaluate the food frequency and nutritional status among students according to participation in the Bolsa Família program funded by the government. Cross-sectional study carried out with students from the fourth grade of elementary school in the municipal capital of the southeastern region of Brazil. Food consumption and anthropometry were investigated by a questionnaire administered in school, while participation in the Bolsa Família program and other socio-economic information was obtained through a protocol applied to mothers/guardians. Statistical analysis included the Mann–Whitney test, the chi-squared test, and Poisson regression with robust variance, and the 5% significance level was adopted. There were 319 children evaluated; 56.4% were male, with a median of 9.4 (8.6–11.9) years, and 37.0% were beneficiaries of Bolsa Família program. Between the two groups, there was high prevalence of regular soda consumption (34.3%), artificial juice (49.5%), and sweets (40.3%), while only 54.3% and 51.7% consumed fruits and vegetables regularly, respectively. Among participants of Bolsa Família program, a prevalence 1.24 times higher in the regular consumption of soft drinks (95% CI: 1.10–1.39) was identified compared to non-beneficiaries. The prevalence of overweight was higher in the sample (32.9%), with no difference according to participation in the program. The study found increased consumption of soft drinks among BFP participants. The high rate of overweight and poor eating habits denote the need to develop actions to promote healthy eating, especially for the beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família program, to promote improvements in nutritional status and prevent chronic diseases throughout life. Avaliar a frequência alimentar e estado nutricional entre escolares segundo a participação no programa governamental Bolsa Família (PBF). Estudo de delineamento transversal realizado com alunos do 4° ano do ensino fundamental da rede municipal de uma capital da região sudeste do Brasil. O consumo alimentar e antropometria foram investigados mediante formulário aplicado com os escolares, enquanto a participação no PBF e outras informações socioeconômicas foram obtidas por meio de protocolo aplicado às mães/responsáveis. A análise estatística contemplou os testes Mann–Whitney, Qui-quadrado e Regressão de Poisson com variância robusta, sendo adotado o valor de significância de 5%. Foram avaliadas 319 crianças, 56,4% do sexo masculino, com mediana de 9,4 (8,6–11,9) anos, sendo 37,0% beneficiários do PBF. Entre os dois grupos avaliados (participantes e não-participantes do PBF), observou-se elevada prevalência de consumo regular de refrigerante (34,3%), suco artificial (49,5%), e guloseimas (40,3%), enquanto apenas 54,3% e 51,7% consumiram frutas e hortaliças regularmente, respectivamente. Entre os participantes do PBF, identificou-se prevalência de 1,24 vezes maior no consumo regular de refrigerantes (IC 95%: 1,10–1,39), comparado aos não beneficiários. A prevalência de excesso de peso foi elevada na amostra (32,9%), sem diferença segundo a participação no programa. O estudo revelou maior consumo de refrigerantes entre participantes do PBF. A alta taxa de excesso de peso e hábitos alimentares inadequados denota a necessidade de desenvolver ações de promoção da alimentação saudável, em especial com os beneficiários do PBF, a fim de promover melhorias nas condições nutricionais e prevenir doenças crônicas ao longo da vida.