Promotion of healthy eating at schools in the Federal District of Brazil

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to describe strategies for the Promotion of Healthy Eating at Public and Private Schools in the Federal District of Brazil. METHODS: A descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study was carried out involving 122 Private Schools and 173 Public Schools. The components of health promotion in the school setting were adapted to the context of the promotion of healthy eating, with interviews conducted for the administration of a semi-structured questionnaire. The Student's t test, Spearman's correlation coefficients and likelihood ratios were used for the statistical analysis (5% level of significance; p<0.05). RESULTS: Only one private elementary school fulfilled the criteria for 20 of the 24 items studied. At the other extreme, two public high schools only fulfilled the criteria for three items. A positive correlation was found between number of meetings held with the school community to address healthy eating and presence of healthy environments as well as between presence of healthy environments and monitoring of nutritional status of schoolchildren (p<0.01). Schools that held an above-average number of meetings to address healthy eating had a smaller proportion of street vendors and local stores in the surrounding area (p=0.01). The majority of schools that had a partnership with healthcare professionals included the topic of healthy eating in the curriculum (p=0.04). CONCLUSION: The different associations found demonstrate the importance and interdependence of the components of the promotion of healthy eating. Preschools have developed more strategies for the Promotion of Healthy Eating and health in general in comparison to other teaching modalities. Schools in the Federal District of Brazil need support and training to be developed as a "Health Promoting School", specifically with regard to actions directed toward healthy eating.

Health and nutrition in public and private schools in the city of Recife

“…However, the average number of meetings was considered low when compared to other studies. 10,20 The involvement of the school community represents a main role in social support to children and adolescents. This support is made available by friends, teachers and family, and can improve the school environment 13 as well as influence in the practice of physical activity and health eating behavior.…”

“…This support is made available by friends, teachers and family, and can improve the school environment 13 as well as influence in the practice of physical activity and health eating behavior. [21][22][23][24][25] Silva et al, 10 which also evaluated the participation of parents and teachers, indicate a low execution of these initiatives for the group of adolescents, which demonstrates the necessity of a higher guidance for this age group.…”

“…10 Despite of the concerning from the educators about these extracurricular and school activities, it is noted that the tasks developed in classroom are, in general, based in the particular understanding which each teacher possesses about what health is, with isolated, overlapping and discontinuous actions. 22,12 These teachers experience an array of difficulties in the elaboration and execution of health education.…”

“…A theoretical operational model was elaborated based on the instruments proposed by Silva et al 10 and by "Cuestionario The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children HBSC". 19 This model oriented on the choice and adaptation of the variables.…”

“…7,8 To consider, beyond the biological aspects, the environmental, cultural and social contexts promotes a broader approach, more coherent with the health promotion. [8][9][10] For gathering together the majority of adolescents in a country, school environment represents a privileged space for developing these actions. 11,12 The promotion of health in school constitutes a world-class initiative which makes possible a greater interaction between teachers and health professionals for inter-sectorial and collaborative actions which deal with the situations of vulnerability of adolescent's health, including parental support and cooperation and stimulating policies in this community.…”