OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the Program Incentive to Fight Nutritional Deficiencies in the city of Assis, state of São Paulo. METHODS: A total of 132 children under 24 months who participated in the Program Incentive to Fight Nutritional Deficiencies for one year were followed. Their nutritional status was determined by comparing their weight-for-age in z-scores at baseline and after 2, 6, 9 and 12 months of follow-up to that of the reference population median given by the National Center for Health Statistics. RESULTS: Most (70%) of the children were classified as undernourished or at risk of malnutrition when they joined the Program Incentive to Fight Nutritional Deficiencies. After 12 months in the program, 64% of the children presented an increase in their weight-for-age z-score. Analysis of the mean weight-for-age z-score variation over time, according to age group and nutritional status at baseline, showed that children under 12 months of age had a significant increase in weight-for-age z-score. CONCLUSION: Malnourished children under one year of age were the ones who benefited most from the Program Incentive to Fight Nutritional Deficiencies.
Anthropometry; Nutrition assessment; Supplementary feeding; Child nutrition disorders
