Inequality in breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices in Argentina by household income level in 2018–2019

Abstract

Introduction. Diet quality is a right related to survival, healthy growth, prevention of chronic diseases, and malnutrition in all its forms. The objective of this study was to analyze breastfeeding and feeding practices in children younger than 2 years from urban areas of Argentina in 2018-2019 according to their household income level.Population and methods. Secondary analysis of data of the Second National Survey on Nutrition and Health (ENNyS2) of 2018-2019. Breastfeeding and complementary feeding indicators proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) were analized. Data were stratified by household income level.Results. The analysis included 5763 children younger than 24 months old. Although 97% was ever breastfed, only 47% of infants younger than 6 months were exclusively breastfed the previous day and 48% continued with breastfeeding after 1 year old, with a higher prevalence in low-income children. The previous day, 23% of children aged 6 to 23 months did not eat any fruit or vegetable, 60% consumed unhealthy foods, and 50% consumed sweet beverages. The consumption of sweet beverages and the absence of fruit and vegetables were higher in low-income households. Conclusion.The quality of children's diet is far from the recommendations and is conditioned by income. Early initiation of breastfeeding, minimum dietary diversity, fruit and vegetable consumption are lower and sweet beverage consumption is greater in impoverished sectors.