Adaptation of a pediatric hospital to the recommendations of the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines, Niterói, 2023.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the adequacy of a pediatric hospital in a large city in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro to the recommendations of the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines regarding the service provision contract, dietary prescription and aspects of the food environment.

Methods: Observational study evaluating four dimensions of the hospital food environment and its surroundings: current legislation and food service provision contract; prescribed diets, the menu and technical sheets of preparations; infrastructure of the Food and Nutrition Unit; and the sale and advertising of food in the internal and external food environment. Technical visits were conducted to evaluate documents, assess menus and conduct direct observation, using previously validated instruments.

Results: The service provision contract was fully compliant for the infant formulas and enteral diets, and the menu was partially compliant (81%). Most of the preparations analyzed were classified as high quality or intermediate quality (77%). Considering the infrastructure of the Food and Nutrition Unit, 90%, 89% and 71% of the responses were positive for essential, recommended and necessary items, respectively. The hospital's food environment stood out for offering in nature and minimally processed foods. However, there was a wide variety of ultra-processed foods available in self-service machines and from street vendors.

Conclusion: Despite a satisfactory food environment, the presence and sale of ultra-processed foods was identified in the hospital and its surroundings.