OBJECTIVES: to trace the profile of academic research on breastfeeding conducted as part of stricto sensu post-graduation courses in nutrition in Brazil. METHODS: a descriptive analysis was carried out of dissertations and theses produced between 1974 and 2004 at all programs recognized by Coordinating Body for the Training of Higher Education Staff. RESULTS: the programs produced 732 studies in all, of which 48 had breastfeeding as the principal object of study, 42 Masters dissertations and six doctoral theses. The Federal University of Pernambuco had the largest number of publications, while the University of Brasilia and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro were the ones that, proportionally, addressed the issue most. In 44% of the programs, no academic research on breastfeeding was found at this level. The programs were especially strong on the specificity of the studies, but tended not investigate cultural aspects, including adoption of the practice of breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: nutrition, as an area of scientific knowledge, has not as yet fully embraced the issue of breastfeeding and has failed to address the social and cultural peculiarities the practice of breastfeeding involves.
Breastfeeding; Nutrition; Post-graduation
