Social support and infant malnutrition: a case–control study in an urban area of Southeastern Brazil

• Published in: British journal of nutrition 2005-09, Vol.94 (3), p.383-389
• Main Authors: de B. L. Carvalhaes, Maria Antonieta, D'Aquino Benício, Maria Helena, Barros, Aluísio J. D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Biological and medical sciences; Brazil; Case studies; Case-Control Studies; Developing Countries; Economics; Educational Status; Families & family life; Family Characteristics; Family income; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Income; Infant; infant feeding; Infant malnutrition; Infant Nutrition Disorders - etiology; Logistic Models; Low income groups; Male; Malnutrition; Mothers; Nutrition; Nutritional status; Per capita; protein energy malnutrition; Risk factors; Single Parent; social services; Social Support; sociodemographic characteristics; socioeconomic status; Urban areas; Variables; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
• ISSN: 0007-1145; 1475-2662
• DOI: 10.1079/BJN20051505

The relationship between malnutrition and social support was first suggested in the mid-1990s. Despite its plausibility, no empirical studies aimed at obtaining evidence of this association could be located. The goal of the present study was to investigate such evidence. A case–control study was carried out including 101 malnourished children (weight-for-age National Center for Health Statistics/WHO 5th percentile) aged 12–23 months, who were compared with 200 well-nourished children with regard to exposure to a series of factors related to their social support system. Univariate and multiple logistic regressions were carried out, odds ratios being adjusted for per capita family income, mother's schooling, and number of children. The presence of an interaction between income and social support variables was also tested. Absence of a partner living with the mother increased risk of malnutrition (odds ratio 2·4 (95 % CI 1·19, 4·89)), even after adjustment for per capita family income, mother's schooling, and number of children. The lack of economic support during adverse situations accounted for a very high risk of malnutrition (odds ratio 10·1 (95 % CI 3·48, 29·13)) among low-income children, but had no effect on children of higher-income families. Results indicate that receiving economic support is an efficient risk modulator for malnutrition among low-income children. In addition, it was shown that the absence of a partner living with the mother is an important risk factor for malnutrition, with an effect independent from per capita family income, mother's schooling, and number of children.