Lógicas e práticas alimentares entre crianças dos 0 aos 5 anos de idade no bairro de Khongolote cidade da Matola

Abstract

The present work analyses the logics that guide the feeding and health care practices for children aged 0 to 5 years old. It is the result of an exploratory research conducted between the months of July to September 2019 and March to June 2020. For conducting the research, I relied on direct observation of younger children aged 0 to 5 years, who attend the Khongolote children's centre in Matola city, Maputo province. To I used the ethnographic method of data collection, using direct and participant observation participant and informal conversations. In general, the existing literature on child feeding and health care segregates and health care, thus losing sight of other associated features, such as cultural beliefs and values that interfere with children's choice of food and health care, aspects that health care for children, aspects that I seek to explore further in the present paper. The argument of this research suggests that there are other logics that guide the introduction and interruption of home-made foods and medication for younger children in this age group, which go beyond the recommendations of health technicians. The results of this research indicate that adults, particularly mothers, interrupt breastfeeding before the period the period indicated by the doctors in the health centres because they consider that the children (particularly male) tend to grow up dependent, spoilt and mentally retarded if they if they are breastfed for a prolonged period. Some mothers interrupt due to lack of time because of domestic workload, and their involvement in work and school activities. in work and school activities. Others, report that they stop breastfeeding due to family pressure, especially from mothers-in-law, to have children at a young age. In this sense mothers introduce new foods (porridge, yoghurts, juices, biscuits) with which some children adapt better than others. (TRADUÇAO NOSSA)