THE ROLE OF THE NUTRITIONIST IN THE CONTROL OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY AT SCHOOL

Abstract

Childhood obesity has become a public health problem worldwide. Around 22 million children under age 5 worldwide are overweight or obese. There is a need for the nutritionist to become involved in health and education services to enable more effective monitoring of overweight and obesity in early childhood, the correct identification of obese and overweight children, and greater and more effective support to families and schools to prevent and treat childhood obesity. General Objective: To analyze the nutritionist's role in controlling childhood obesity in schools. Methodology: This is a descriptive bibliographic review, with a qualitative approach. Results: 14 articles were selected from electronic databases. Discussion: after analyzing the articles, they were separated into topics that address: challenges to nutritional adequacy; the main problems of the PNAE and the nutritionist's coping strategies; and finally, the benefits of nutritionist guidance. Conclusion: the nutritionist plays a fundamental role in facing the challenges that the PNAE brings with it, such as food restrictions and the need to adapt menus to existing resources. Attention is also drawn to the need for standardization, better monitoring and supervision of eating practices in Brazilian schools, thus being able to intervene and improve the quality of life of children and adolescents, both obese and malnourished, and leading to a full and healthy life. healthy.