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Avaliação do perfil nutricional e da rotulagem de alimentos comercializados para crianças até aos 36 meses: um estudo exploratório
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Uma nutrição saudável na infância é fundamental para o normal crescimento
e desenvolvimento do bebé. Incentivar as crianças a consumir
alimentos saudáveis, através de uma oferta repetida e positiva de novos
alimentos, bem como limitar a sua exposição a alimentos considerados
não saudáveis, podem evitar a preferências por alimentos e bebidas
muito doces, contribuindo para o desenvolvimento de bons hábitos alimentares.
Em 2016, a Assembleia Mundial da Saúde aprovou, através
da resolução WHA69.9, o guia elaborado pela Organização Mundial
de Saúde (OMS) Europa, com o objetivo de promover o fim da comercialização
inadequada de alimentos para lactentes e crianças jovens. Este
guia inclui uma proposta de Modelo de perfil nutricional, desenvolvido
especificamente para identificar os alimentos complementares que
reúnem as características adequadas para serem comercializados a
crianças dos 6-36 meses, e garantir que estes mesmos são rotulados
e promovidos de forma adequada. O presente estudo pretendeu avaliar
a adequação nutricional dos alimentos à venda no mercado português,
destinados à faixa etária dos 6-36 meses, e analisar os diferentes tipos
de alegações presentes nas embalagens desses produtos. Dos 138 alimentos
analisados, 69% não cumpriam todos os critérios nutricionais
propostos pelo modelo da OMS. Aproximadamente 31% dos alimentos
têm, pelo menos, uma fonte de açúcar indicada na lista de ingredientes.
Este estudo também demonstrou que contrariamente às orientações da
OMS e do Codex Alimentarius, os alimentos complementares estão a
ser promovidos de forma inadequada, considerando que 97% apresentaram,
pelo menos, um tipo de alegação nutricional ou de saúde na
embalagem. A nível nacional, os resultados obtidos revelam a necessidade
de implementar medidas que limitem a promoção de alimentos
menos saudáveis destinados à faixa etária dos 6-36 meses, de modo a
garantir que pais e cuidadores tenham acesso a informações claras e
fiáveis sobre as escolhas alimentares que fazem para os seus filhos.
Healthy nutritional choices in childhood are crucial to ensure optimal child growth and development. Encouraging infant and young children to consume healthy foods, through repeated and positive offerings of new foods, and limiting their exposure to unhealthy foods, which may influence their taste preferences for sweet foods and sugary drinks, helps to develop good feeding practices. In 2016, the World Health Assembly approved WHO Europe guidance on ending the inappropriate promotion of foods for infants and young children through resolution WHA69.9. This guidance provides a tool, in the form of a draft Nutrient profile model, specifically developed to identify commercially available complementary foods that are suitable to be marketed for infants and young children up to 36 months, and ensure that permitted products are properly labelled and promoted. The present study aimed to assess the nutritional suitability of complementary foods available on the Portuguese market, destined to the age group 6-36 months, and to analyse the different types of claims present on packages. Of the 138 complementary foods analysed, 69% did not meet all the nutritional criteria proposed by the WHO model. Approximately 31% of foods have at least one sugary source listed in the ingredients list. Contrary to guidelines issued by WHO and Codex, this study also demonstrated that complementary foods are being inappropriately promoted. Almost all products (97%) presented at least one type of nutrition or health claim on the label. The obtained results reveal the need to implement, at national level, effective preventive measures to limit the promotion of unhealthy foods marketed for infants and young children up to 36 months, in order to ensure that parents and caregivers receive clear and accurate information on complementary feeding.
Healthy nutritional choices in childhood are crucial to ensure optimal child growth and development. Encouraging infant and young children to consume healthy foods, through repeated and positive offerings of new foods, and limiting their exposure to unhealthy foods, which may influence their taste preferences for sweet foods and sugary drinks, helps to develop good feeding practices. In 2016, the World Health Assembly approved WHO Europe guidance on ending the inappropriate promotion of foods for infants and young children through resolution WHA69.9. This guidance provides a tool, in the form of a draft Nutrient profile model, specifically developed to identify commercially available complementary foods that are suitable to be marketed for infants and young children up to 36 months, and ensure that permitted products are properly labelled and promoted. The present study aimed to assess the nutritional suitability of complementary foods available on the Portuguese market, destined to the age group 6-36 months, and to analyse the different types of claims present on packages. Of the 138 complementary foods analysed, 69% did not meet all the nutritional criteria proposed by the WHO model. Approximately 31% of foods have at least one sugary source listed in the ingredients list. Contrary to guidelines issued by WHO and Codex, this study also demonstrated that complementary foods are being inappropriately promoted. Almost all products (97%) presented at least one type of nutrition or health claim on the label. The obtained results reveal the need to implement, at national level, effective preventive measures to limit the promotion of unhealthy foods marketed for infants and young children up to 36 months, in order to ensure that parents and caregivers receive clear and accurate information on complementary feeding.
Description
Keywords
Perfil Nutricional Rotulagem nutricional Crianças 6-36 meses Composição dos Alimentos Saúde Pública Portugal
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Boletim Epidemiológico Observações. 2021;10(Supl 13):40-44
Publisher
Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, IP