FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION TO COMBAT CHILDHOOD OBESITY: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to analyze what the literature references about food and nutrition education in the fight against childhood obesity and research different practices in education with positive results. Taking into account the various factors associated with childhood obesity and the strategic and multidisciplinary approach to food and nutrition education as a way to promote healthy eating habits. For this study, official documents found in the Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences Information (LILACS), PubMed, SciELO databases from 2018 to 2022 were collected, which portrayed public policies in nutrition education in the fight against childhood obesity. The keywords used were: food education, nutrition education, childhood obesity. We emphasize the positive results found from practices in food and nutrition education in Brazil. Indicators showed a relationship between nutritional knowledge and better eating practices, highlighting the importance of food and nutrition education as an important strategy for promoting child health.