COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SCHOOL MENUS IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS ON THE BRAZIL-PARAGUAY BORDER

Abstract

School meals are a determining factor in child development and the formation of healthy eating habits. This study aimed to compare the food menus offered by private schools located in Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) and Ciudad del Este (Paraguay), analyzing their nutritional and cultural differences and the degree of compliance with current national dietary guidelines. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative and qualitative approach, using a comparative observational design. The weekly menus of six private institutions were analyzed, three Brazilian (BR1, BR2 and BR3) and three Paraguayan (PY1, PY2 and PY3), referring to the school week of March 2nd to 6th, 2026. Data collection was carried out through document analysis of the menus, technical data sheets and purchase records provided by the institutions, with subsequent comparison to the national dietary guidelines of each country. The results showed that Brazilian schools presented greater nutritional organization, with identification of the responsible nutritionist, a diversity of fresh fruits and vegetables, a priority for baked and grilled preparations, and the availability of detailed nutritional information. Paraguayan institutions stood out for preserving cultural identity, offering typical preparations such as vori vori, soyo, and chipa guazú, although with less systematization of nutritional control, a higher frequency of fried foods, and the absence of identification of the responsible technician in the analyzed documents. Nutritional conformity, calculated based on the criteria established by national dietary guidelines, ranged between 71% and 72% in Brazilian schools and between 34% and 53% in Paraguayan schools. It is concluded that the observed differences reflect particularities of the regulatory frameworks and institutional practices adopted in each country, highlighting opportunities for improving school feeding policies and regional cooperation aimed at promoting food and nutritional security for children in the border region.