Secular trends in breastfeeding in Brazil

Authors

  • Sonia Isoyama Venancio Secretaria de Estado da Saude de Sao Paulo; Instituto de Saude
  • Silvia Regina Dias Medici Saldiva Secretaria de Estado da Saude de Sao Paulo; Instituto de Saude
  • Carlos Augusto Monteiro Universidade de Sao Paulo; Faculdade de Saude Publica; Departamento de Nutricao

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/rsp.v47i6.76690

Abstract

The objective of this study was to document the secular trend in breastfeeding in Brazil. Data bases from seven national surveys conducted from 1975 to 2008 were reanalyzed. To obtain compatible data from the different surveys, children in the same age group and the same indicators were analyzed, using the same statistical techniques. The median duration of breastfeeding increased from 2.5 to 11.3 months, and the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in infants under six months of age increased from 3.1% to 41.0% in the period. The results indicate important challenges in accelerating the rhythm at which this practice in Brazil moves towards meeting international recommendations.

Downloads

Published

2013-12-01

Issue

Vol. 47 No. 6 (2013)

Section

Brief Communications

How to Cite

Venancio, S. I., Saldiva, S. R. D. M., & Monteiro, C. A. (2013). Secular trends in breastfeeding in Brazil. Revista De Saúde Pública, 47(6), 1205-1208. https://doi.org/10.1590/rsp.v47i6.76690