NUTRITION EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS: A PATH TO RAISING AWARENESS AND PROMOTING HEALTH

Abstract

Poor nutrition in childhood and adolescence, intensified by the consumption of ultra-processed products, represents a public health challenge. This study addresses Food and Nutrition Education (EAN) in schools as a strategy to promote healthy habits. The central problem investigates how institutional, logistical, and commercial barriers influence food security in public and private school networks. The general objective is to analyze the challenges and contributions of these actions in the school routine, retrieving the history of public policies and comparing both networks. Methodologically, a qualitative integrative literature review was carried out (2015-2025). The results reveal that the public network has the support of the PNAE, but suffers from logistical failures in the distribution of fresh ingredients, while the private network lacks nutritional regulation in commercial cafeterias. It is concluded that overcoming these gaps requires the strengthening of technical inspection, planning focused on the sensory acceptability of students, and the application of continuous critical awareness projects that integrate the cafeteria into the classroom in a pleasurable way.