Professional practice of dietitians in the Brazilian School Feeding Program: A multiple case study

Abstract

Objective: To assess dietician’s numerical parameters for school feeding and discuss limitations and possibilities for professional practice in the municipalities of Vale do Ivaí, in Northern Paraná, Brazil. Methods: This is a multiple case study. A semi-structured interview was administered to dietitians working at the School Feeding Program in nine cities located in Vale do Ivaí, Paraná, Brazil. Resolution nº 465/2010, from the Brazilian Federal Board of Dietitians, was used to calculate the adequacy of working hours of dietitians. The legistation of the Brazilian School Feeding Program was applied to discuss professional practice. Results: All the cities had at least one dietitian responsible for the School Feeding Program. The percentage of adequate working hours was from 20 to 66%. Some dietitians were involved in management activities, administration, procurement, and accounting, in addition to dietitian assignments for the School Feeding Program. Most dietitians worked in other sectors of the municipalities such as the health system, social assistance, and at events. This practice could compromise compliance of technical activities that must be met by the dietitians of the School Feeding Program. Conclusion: The number of dietitians in most of cities working at School Feeding Program is not sufficient to meet the number of students. The insuficient workload and excessive activities could hinder the development of dietitian’s private activities. The hiring of nutrition and dietitian technicians and administrative assistants for bureaucratic activies is recommended.

Satisfaction of nutritionists who work in food service

“…They found higher satisfaction levels among professionals who had greater administrative responsibilities, especially in the area of budget management. Nevertheless, nutritionists were mostly dissatisfied in other studies [11] -perhaps because they performed activities outside of their scope [30]. Additionally, professional motivation remains being the most dissatisfactory attribute among nutritionists in food service.…”

Opinion of family farmers on organic food supply to the Brazilian National School Feeding Program - a case study

“…For example, technical support to FA can help to diversify the production and include regional products in school meals (Monego et al, 2013) since skilled labor is essential for the production and acquisition of quality organic food (Lopes & Doula, 2019). Likewise, family farmers need the assistance of nutritionists (Pires et al, 2017), cooperatives, or government agencies to solve problems and understand the food acquisition process. Participating in open calls, despite being easier than participating in public procurements, can still be complex and bureaucratic for people who have no practice with such processes, as may be the case for some family farmers (Becker, Andersson, Altemburg, & Costa, 2011;Pires et al, 2017;Triches & Schneider, 2010).…”

“…Likewise, family farmers need the assistance of nutritionists (Pires et al, 2017), cooperatives, or government agencies to solve problems and understand the food acquisition process. Participating in open calls, despite being easier than participating in public procurements, can still be complex and bureaucratic for people who have no practice with such processes, as may be the case for some family farmers (Becker, Andersson, Altemburg, & Costa, 2011;Pires et al, 2017;Triches & Schneider, 2010).…”

Atribuições do nutricionista no Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar

“…O programa, por meio de suas diretrizes e princípios, expressa que as atribuições do nutricionista são complexas e de caráter político/social, por promover e manter a saúde por meio de atividades e programas associados à nutrição nas escolas, garantindo direito As atribuições do nutricionista no Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar Leão, et al humano à alimentação e nutrição adequada e a soberania e segurança alimentar e nutricional, reafirmando o papel do profissional como um agente propagador de saúde (BRA-SIL, 2005;BRASIL, 2020;PIRES, 2017).…”

“…Contudo, apesar das normativas do PNAE reforçarem a importância do nutricionista como um ator fundamental no processo de alimentação escolar, algumas atribuições obrigatórias não são executadas. Estudos apontam que o não cumprimento dessas atribuições deve-se a alguns fatores como número insuficiente de profissionais designados para a alimentação escolar, o excesso de atividades burocráticas e administrativas, a ausência ou reduzido investimento de recursos próprios por parte dos gestores municipais na aquisição de alimentos para atender os cardápios elaborados para a alimentação escolar, reforçando que os recursos federais repassados pelo Fundo Nacional de Desenvolvimento da Educação-FNDE são complementares aos recursos próprios destinados para a alimentação escolar pelas Entidades Executoras (EEx) (PIRES, 2017;MELLO, 2012;RAPHAELLI, 2018 A tabela 3 apresenta os resultados referentes à associação entre as atribuições obrigatórias dos nutricionistas da alimentação escolar com o tempo de atuação no PNAE.…”