OBJECTIVE: To verify the age of complementary food introduction in the first two years of life and its relation to demographic, social, and economic status of preschool children of private schools in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey with demographic, social and economic status information. The studied population included 566 children. The age in months of complementary foods introduction was verified. The dependent variable was the age in months of complementary foods introduction. Independent or explanatory variables were: mother's age and education, maternal work conditions and household income. The relation between variables was analyzed by Cox multiple regression. RESULTS: 50% of the children were males and 61% were older than 4 years old. Most mothers had higher education and were employed. The household income showed a population of high social and economic level. Water and/or tea, fruits and non-breast milk were introduced before the sixth month of life. The variable 'maternal age' showed association with the introduction of three groups of foods: cereals, meat and junk food. CONCLUSION: Early complementary food introduction occurred in this population of high socioeconomic level, and the only variable associated with this occurrence was maternal age.
supplementary feeding; child, preschool; infant nutrition; maternal age
