[Implementation and evaluation of food and nutrition actions in the school environment].

Abstract

The Programa Saúde na Escola and the Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar can be integrated through food and nutrition actions in the school environment. The objective of this article is to develop a proposal for the implementation and evaluation of food and nutrition actions in the school environment, verifying their applicability. A methodological study that resulted in the development of a logical model and an implementation and monitoring matrix related to school feeding and nutrition actions, covering parameters of structure, process/actions and results of three components (anthropometric assessment, promotion of healthy eating and school feeding). Health professionals and teachers from 11 municipalities in Paraíba took part. Applicability was verified in a case study with four early childhood education schools. The three components showed deficiencies in both structure and process. In the results, there was low completion of the Child Handbook, high consumption of foods not offered in school meals, especially industrialized, and good acceptance of school meals. The proposal drawn up could help improve health promotion programs in the school environment, with a focus on food and nutrition.