Analysis of the knowledge of the managers of early childhood education schools on the public policies of food and nutrition

Abstract

Introduction: Since the 1980s, world obesity has almost doubled, with a high prevalence in the Americas, with higher rates in countries such as Mexico, Chile and the United States in which 7 people are obese for every 10 adults. Objective: To study the application of public food and nutrition policy in schools in a municipality in the state of Pernambuco. Method: Descriptive, cross-sectional, qualitative study conducted with managers of the municipal schools of early childhood education in the municipality state of Pernambuco. Twenty-nine early childhood schools that attended schoolchildren from the age of five were included, aiming to evaluate the applicability of PNAN, PNAE and PSE in these schools. Twenty-seven managers agreed to participate in the study, being these pedagogical coordinators, principals or vice-principals, in addition to the coordinator of the municipal school lunch. Results: The following categories emerged: The importance of the perception of healthy eating as health promotion; The implementation of the National Food and Nutrition Policy in Schools. Conclusion: The ignorance of PNAN among most managers is worrisome because the partnership between school, government and family are essential for reducing overweight. From the moment one of these parts is neglected the action and resolution of the problem becomes difficult to elucidate and increasingly the challenge of reducing the rates of overweight and obesity become distant.