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The Brazilian Code of Marketing of Infant and Toddlers Food, Nipples, Pacifiers and Baby Bottles (NBCAL), in force in Brazil since 1988, is still systematically violated, exposing mothers and family members to illegal marketing of products that compete with breastfeeding. This study aimed to describe a multicenter study methodology and propose standardized indicators for NBCAL monitoring. This is a Multicenter Study for NBCAL Compliance Assessment (Multi-NBCAL) conducted in seven Brazilian cities: Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Ouro Preto (Minas Gerais State), Florianópolis (Santa Catarina State), Brasília (Federal District), João Pessoa (Paraíba State), and Belém (Pará State). Assessment tools were adapted from NetCode/WHO and IBFAN Brazil (International Baby Food Action Network) to conduct two evaluations: (1) evaluation of NBCAL compliance in stores, and NBCAL knowledge and practices of store managers; (2) evaluation of the interaction between the baby food industry and health professionals and post-partum mothers in maternity hospitals. Five indicators were developed to assess NBCAL compliance in stores; seven indicators to assess the knowledge and practices of store managers; five indicators to assess the provision of incentives to maternity hospitals, health professionals, and mothers by sectors; and five indicators to assess NBCAL knowledge and practices of health professionals. The NBCAL assessment methodology with the proposal of standardized indicators allows comparability of studies about this theme. Using these indicators in periodic national or regional investigation can help monitor the level of NBCAL implementation in Brazil.

This exploratory qualitative study aimed to identify sociocultural and intergenerational aspects of perception and practices in child feeding among quilombola women, members of maroon communities in Brazil. A focus group with 12 mothers and another group with four grandmothers of children under five years of age were conducted in a rural quilombola community in the State of Goiás, Brazil. The data were analyzed with thematic content analysis, yielding four central themes and respective subthemes, which were then represented in a socioecological conceptual model with four levels of influence on child feeding as the outcome. Theme 1 dealt with the reasons for breastfeeding which included the child's health, financial issues, and positive maternal attitude toward breastfeeding. Theme 2 encompassed factors that negatively influence breastfeeding, such as the perception of "too little milk", use of teas, sequential pregnancy, and the child's characteristics. Theme 3 dealt with complementary feeding, generally introduced too early, including foods consumed by the family and ultra-processed foods. Theme 4 addressed the support network, consisting of the family and community dimension, featuring the grandmothers' role, acting in the intergenerational transmission of traditional knowledge and support for mothers, while health services, with educational activities related to breastfeeding, played a lesser role in quilombola women's decisions and practices. The promotion of adequate and healthy child feeding practices should address aspects of the quilombola women's sociocultural context and adopt emancipatory approaches, guaranteeing quality care for this population.

The objective of this study was to assess dietary patterns in Brazilian children and factors associated with better diet. The authors used data for 2,477 children 6 to 36 months of age from the Brazilian National Survey of Demographic and Health in 2006-2007. Diet was assessed and classified using a composite index. The results showed that 28.2% of the children received a high-quality diet and 20% had a diversified diet. Children from socioeconomically underprivileged families or with serious food insecurity were approximately 40% less likely to have high-quality diets. Children living in homes with food insecurity were 71% less likely to have diversified diets, and those whose mothers had limited education were 43% less likely. Children residing in the North of Brazil were less likely to have diversified and high-quality diets. The dietary quality of Brazilian children is inadequate, and social vulnerability is closely associated with this adverse dietary situation.

This study aimed to characterize users of a government soup-kitchen program and the association with family food insecurity, using a cross-sectional design and random sample of 1,637 soup-kitchen users. The study used a questionnaire with socioeconomic variables and the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale, and measured weight and height. The chi-square test was applied, and the crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated using Poisson regression. Prevalent characteristics included per capita income ranging from one-half to one minimum wage (35.1%), complete middle school (39.8%), and food security (59.4%). Users in the North of Brazil showed the worst data: incomplete primary school (39.8%), per capita income up to one-half the minimum wage (50.8%), and food insecurity (55.5%). Prevalence ratios for food insecurity were higher among users with per capita income up to one-fourth the minimum wage (p < 0.05). Income was the only variable that remained associated with higher prevalence of food insecurity in the adjusted PR. Knowing the characteristics of soup-kitchen users with food insecurity can help orient the program's work, location, and operations.

The aim of this study was to assess food consumption in Brazilian children 6 to 59 months of age by region of the country and area of residence. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 4,322 children in the National Demographic and Health Survey (2006-2007). The data showed low daily consumption of leafy vegetables (12.7%), vegetables (21.8%), and meat (24.6%) and high consumption (1-3 times a week) of soft drinks (40.5%), fried foods (39.4%), salty snacks (39.4%), and sweets (37.8%). Comparing the regions of Brazil, children in the South, Southeast, and Central-West consumed more rice, bread, potatoes, beans, greens, vegetables, and meat, but they also ate more foods not recommended for their age, like sweets and soft drinks (soda). Rural children showed lower consumption of foods recommended for their age and also those not recommended for their age, as compared to their urban counterparts. According to this study, food consumption in these young children fails to meet the recommendations for healthy eating in this age bracket.

Prevalence of severe food insecurity was estimated for Brazilian municipalities based on the 2004 National Household Sample Survey (PNAD). First, a logistic regression model was developed and tested with this database. The model was then applied to the 2000 census data, generating severe food insecurity estimates for the Brazilian municipalities, which were subsequently analyzed according to the proportion of families exposed to severe food insecurity. Severe food insecurity was mainly concentrated in the North and Northeast regions, where 46.1% and 65.3% of municipalities showed high prevalence of severe food insecurity, respectively. Most municipalities in the Central West region showed intermediate prevalence of severe food insecurity. There was wide intra-regional variation in severe food insecurity, while the South of Brazil showed the most uniform distribution. In conclusion, Brazil displays wide inter and intra-regional variations in the occurrence of severe food insecurity. Such variations should be identified and analyzed in order to plan appropriate public policies.