STIMULUS AND PROMOTION OF HEALTHY EATING HABITS: A SAMPLE STUDY AT ALMERINDO ALVES DOS SANTOS MUNICIPAL SCHOOL

Abstract

This study aimed to stimulate and promote initiatives and environments that encourage healthy eating at Almerindo Alves dos Santos Municipal School, located in Eunápolis, Bahia, involving students aged 10 to 14 years. The specific objectives included understanding concepts and nutritional indicators, analyzing the students’ nutritional indicators, investigating the school’s food environment, and conducting a workshop for the school community on the importance of healthy eating. The quantitative and qualitative methodology, of descriptive and exploratory nature, involved three main interventions. The first consisted of playful activities to map eating habits, followed by a theatrical performance and an online questionnaire for the students' guardians. The second intervention involved anthropometric measurements to calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI) of the students, based on the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO). Finally, the third stage included a feedback session with the school community and a satisfaction survey. The results showed that 17 students were underweight, while 2 were classified as overweight or obese. Despite these challenges, the interventions had positive impacts: 50% of the students tried new fruits, 25% started consuming fruits regularly, and 57% began engaging in physical activities. Additionally, 32% shared the knowledge acquired with their families, highlighting the educational reach of the initiatives.The absence of parents in the workshop underscored a gap between the school and families, which could limit the impact of such initiatives. Nonetheless, the school proved to be a strategic space for promoting healthy eating habits and fostering discussions about nutrition. This study reinforces the importance of integrating nutritional education into the school curriculum and suggests future research to explore strategies for increasing family engagement, thus enhancing long-term outcomes.