Resumen

MONTEIRO, Carlos Augusto. Os determinantes da desnutrição infantil no Vale do Ribeira. Cad. Pesqui. [online]. 1979, n.29, pp.57-75. ISSN 0100-1574.

The author studies the magnitude and the determinants of energy-protein malnutrition in twelve rural nuclei of four districts of the Vale do Ribeira in the State of São Paulo. The population studied includes 1995 children less than five years old, from the 593 families who, in 1975, lived in those nuclei. The economic activities of these families represent the most important productive activities of the Vale do Ribeira, basically an agricultural region, with monocultures for exportation produced in small properties and in large real estates. The population studied is composed of large families, usually coming from the Vale do Ribeira itself, with a low level of income and education. The coeficients of mortality are high, chiefly during the second years of life. The infants are breast fed up to six month old and nursing is frequently continued up to one year of age. After six month of age, children are mostly fed with the usual adult food, composed basically of rice, beans and animal proteins from various origins, with the common addition of manioc and sometimes of green vegetables.In a comparative study of the nutritional state of children, the Vale do Ribeira shows worse conditions than those found in other areas of the State of São Paulo, while it compares favourably with regard to other poor regions of the State of Minas Gerais and Pernambuco. Less malnutrition was found during the first year of life, probably due to breast feeding.

Palabras clave : Famílias; Desnutrição; Vale do Ribeira; Mortalidade infantil; Condições socioeconômicas; Demografia.

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