Relationship of Food Consumption and Family Income of Children under 2 Years Old in Three Counties in the Metropolitan Region of Belém

Abstract

Objective: To relate the food consumption of the previous day and family income of children under 6 months to 2 years of age living in the metropolitan region of Belém, Pará. Methodology: Descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study with application of an online questionnaire via google forms, carried out in the metropolitan region of Belém-Pará, which covers 3 municipalities (Belém, Ananindeua and Marituba). The questions formulated in the food survey were based on food consumption markers from the SISVAN platform. Results: 221 responses from caregivers were obtained. Most declared to receive up to a monthly minimum wage. breast milk was consumed by all children younger than 6 months. In children aged over six months to two years, it was observed that breastfeeding did not occur continuously in children from groups with higher family income, and the ingestion of ultra-processed foods by children with lower incomes was observed. Conclusion: The data demonstrate dietary inadequacy, habits that are configured for the development of chronic non-communicable diseases throughout life. In addition, there is a low consumption of fresh and minimally processed foods, as well as an inadequate introduction of ultra-processed foods, especially in children belonging to families with lower incomes.