The integration of nutrition into the health services of northeast Brazil: Supervised supplementary feeding

A model for supplementary feeding of preschool children was designed, employing the following principles:

• Selection of beneficiaries based on the epidemiology of malnutrition, not charity;

• distribution of the supplement limited to 4 months;

• the supplement to cover one‐third of protein and calorie needs;

• strict control of use of supplement;

• automatic medical care to beneficiaries when needed;

• nutrition education of the mothers.

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The purpose was to protect contacts and extend nutritional recuperation beyond the action of the rehabilitation centers.

A total of 428 children were admitted to the program between June 1969 and September 1970. Sixty‐eight percent completed the 4 month period. Average weight gain was more than expected for age (less than one year: 1,218 g; and one‐to‐four years old: 872 g). Attendance rate was 95 percent. The cost was 8 times less than that of the rehabilitation center.

Notes

Dr. Beghin was formerly PAHO Nutrition Advisor, Institute of Nutrition, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil and is at present, Chief of the Division of Applied Nutrition, Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP), Guatemala, C.A.

Members of the Institute of Nutrition, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.