[Socio-demographic and nutritional characteristics of Brazilian children under 2 years of age who were beneficiaries of conditional cash transfer programs in 2006].

The conditional cash transfer programs (PTCR) seek to combat poverty and hunger and to ensure food security. Children under the age of two of beneficiary families are more vulnerable to environmental conditions. This study seeks to describe this population according to socio-economic, demographic and nutritional variables. Secondary data from the National Survey on Demography and Health of Women and Children (PNDS-2006) were used. Data were described using mean and standard deviations. Associations were described using the chi-square test with confidence intervals of 95%. Of the 1735 children, 29.4% were PCTR beneficiaries with average family income of R$430.20 and average benefits of R$75. Among those living in the Northeast or in the rural area of the country, one in every three received benefits. Among those experiencing severe food insecurity, 52.3% were PTCR beneficiaries. Children from socio-economic classes D and E and whose mothers had less than four years education were associated with PTCR. Among the nutritional disorders of child beneficiaries, overweight for age prevailed. Of those who ceased exclusive breastfeeding in less than two months, 31.2% were beneficiaries. The need for preventive nutritional education was identified in order to optimize the use of benefits.