Effectiveness of a supplementary feeding program in child weight gain.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of a governmental supplementary feeding program in child weight gain.


METHODS
A cohort study including secondary data on 25,433 low-income children aged between six and 24 months, participating in a fortified milk distribution program known as Projeto Vivaleite, was performed in the state of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, between 2003 and 2008. Weight gain was measured using weight-for-age z-score values, calculated according to the World Health Organization standards (2007). These values were obtained in the program routine, when a child started it and every four months during their stay. Children were divided into three z-score groups when starting the program: weight gain not compromised (z>-1); risk of low weight (-2< or =z <-1); and low weight (z<-2). Multilevel linear regression (mixed model) was used, enabling the comparison, at each age, of adjusted mean z-scores between children starting the program and those who had been participating for at least four months, adjusted for correlation between repeated measurements.


RESULTS
The program had a positive effect on child weight gain, varying according to child nutritional status when starting this program; among those who started it with weight gain not compromised, the mean adjusted gain z-score was 0.183; among those with risk of low weight, 0.566; and among those with low weight, 1.005.


CONCLUSIONS
The program is effective for weight gain in children younger than two years, with a more pronounced effect on children who start the program under less favorable weight conditions.
Augusto
Rosângela Aparecida
RA
Departamento de Epidemiologia, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. rosanut@usp.br
Souza
José Maria Pacheco de
JM
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk; D009313:National Health Programs; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015430:Weight Gain
D019266:Iron, Dietary; D014815:Vitamins; D014801:Vitamin A; D014807:Vitamin D