title: [Feeding strategies of mothers of malnourished and eutrophic children: a qualitative study through videotaped observations].
abstract: The scope of this study was to identify and compare maternal feeding strategies and characteristics of the interaction between mothers of malnourished and eutrophic children. Eight pairs of mother/malnourished child and eight pairs of mother/eutrophic child (aged between 9 to 24 months) living in poor inner areas, were videotaped during meals, at home. Through analysis of the videos, the strategies were identified and episodes qualitatively analyzed, according to the peculiar characteristics of the interaction, especially maternal responsivity. There were no significant differences in strategies used by the mothers of both groups. The observations of the episodes have shown that feeding a child is a highly interactive process, dependent upon the abilities and characteristics of both partners. The success of feeding appears to be associated with contextual conditions, maternal responsivity and also to the appetite and flexibility of the child. It is suggested that, in projects geared to malnourished children, besides supplements and feeding orientation, special attention be given to maternal self esteem and in helping mothers to deal with children suffering from loss of appetite.
authors: Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, UNESP, SP, Brazil. gimol@fmb.unesp.br
authors: Gimol Benzaquen
authors: GB
authors: Perosa
authors: Maria Antonieta de Barros Leite
authors: MA
authors: Carvalhaes
authors: Maria Helena D'Aquino
authors: MH
authors: Benício
authors: Flávia Cristina Pereira
authors: FC
authors: Silveira
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D005248:Feeding Methods; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D044342:Malnutrition; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D011203:Poverty; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014743:Videotape Recording