Compostos funcionais na alimentação infantil

Abstract

Breastmilk is the most adequate food for infants in the first six months of life, and its composition is unique to meet their needs. This provides na unmatched nutritional, immunological, psychosocial and economic advantage. However, there is sometimes a need for food supplementation, or replacement of breast milk with infant formulas, in order to meet the newborn’s energy needs, for professional reasons on the parto f the mother that make exclusive breastfeeding impossible and for the beginning of the diversification. In addition to infant formulas, the industry also has a food supply aimed at young children up to 3 years of age, endogenizing nutritional recommendations and incorporating, on many occasions, nutrientes or functional compounds of added value countries take different positions in the formulation and incorporation of these ingredientes, which are largely supported by the legislation in force in each country. In this context, the presente dissertation aims at a comparative analysis of the nutritional profile, incorporation of nutrientes/functional compounds and nutritional and functional claims existing between the various infant formulas and ofter foodstuffs intended for the specific nutritional needs of infants and young children in the market Iberian (Portugal and Spain) and the United States of America market. To this end, a comprehensive survey of foodstuffs intended for infants and children aged 0-5 years was carried out and qualitative and quantitative data on the composition of phospholipids, LCPUFAs, pre and probiotics and vitamins and minerals products. A comprehensive and detailed database of the data obtained was also created

Date of Award	14 Jun 2018
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Ana Maria Gomes (Supervisor), Lígia Pimentel (Co-Supervisor) & Luis Miguel Rodrigues Alcalá (Co-Supervisor)