[Two decades of the Brazilian Standard for Marketing of Baby Food: are there reasons to celebrate?].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact that the Brazilian Standard for Marketing of Baby Food (Norma Brasileira de Comercialização de Alimentos para Lactentes) have had on breastfeeding rates and regulating the marketing of breast-milk substitutes.


METHODS
Data were retrieved from a national survey conducted in 2000 that administered structured questionnaires to nine different groups. A total of 2 848 surveys were completed. Cluster sampling was employed to randomly select a sample from 159 towns located in the 26 Brazilian states and the Federal District.


RESULTS
The survey showed that participants possess satisfactory knowledge regarding the importance of breastfeeding and its ideal duration period. During the past two decades, the median duration of breastfeeding has increased, but it is still below desired levels. The mother's return to work, maternal health issues, perception of insufficient breast milk, and information provided by health professionals were among reasons given for early termination of breastfeeding. Knowledge of the Brazilian standard was very limited, even among health professionals.


CONCLUSIONS
Breastfeeding promotion in Brazil should focus on overcoming the cultural, educational, and economic barriers identified from among the various groups assessed. Interagency cooperation should include public, private, and third parties, and focus on disseminating breastfeeding information and promoting the desirability of breastfeeding. Barriers to cooperation should be tackled in order to ensure that the main goal of the Brazilian standard--protection of infant health--can be achieved.
Cyrillo
Denise Cavallini
DC
Faculdade de Economia, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil. dccyrill@usp.br
Sarti
Flavia Mori
FM
Farina
Elizabeth Mercier Querido
EM
Mazzon
José Afonso
JA
D001938:Brazil; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000592:standards*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D040541:Marketing / Q000592:standards*; D013997:Time Factors