Association between dietary practices, associated factors and DNA damage in children

Introduction and objective: Exclusive breastfeeding (EB) and adequate complementary feeding stand out among the dietary practices for promoting maternal and child health. Thus, this study evaluated the relationship between dietary practices, infant and gestational nutritional status, maternal education, and DNA damage in children from a city in the interior of southern Brazil. Material and methods: Cross-sectional study was carried out with children aged between 6 and 24 months who attended a Family Health Strategy in the city of Passo do Sobrado/RS. The child's diet and level of DNA damage were analyzed. Also, the child's nutritional status and the mother's gestational status were classified, as well as maternal education. Results: Of the 31 children evaluated, there was a low prevalence of EB (29%), which was associated with the early introduction of salty porridge (p=0.002) and food sources of sugar (p=0.017). Although 58.1% of children were at risk for overweight and overweight/obesity, there was no association with EB duration (p=0.735). Furthermore, it was found that 45.2% of the mothers were overweight and obese for their gestational age, which was not associated with the children's current nutritional status (p=0.235). As for DNA damage, a significantly higher frequency of cells with micronuclei (p=0.024) was observed in children who received EB between 2-3 months compared to EB up to the sixth month. Conclusion: There was a prevalence of EBF up to six months of age, associated with the early introduction of foods and high consumption of foods not recommended in this age group, as well as DNA damage.