EDUCATIONAL ACTIONS FOR THE PROMOTION OF HEALTHY HABITS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW
Keywords:
Food and nutrition education, Nutritional education, Food education, Eating habitsAbstract
Different regions of the world have been facing significant changes in dietary patterns, characterized by the replacement of traditional habits with eating practices disconnected from local culture. This scenario has led to a decrease in the consumption of foods with high nutritional value and an increase in the intake of products marked by high energy density and low nutritional quality. In this context, schools stand out as strategic settings for the development of educational actions that promote health and foster healthy eating habits. This study aimed to identify and evaluate scientific evidence regarding food and nutrition education actions implemented in the school environment. An integrative literature review was conducted using the PICO strategy (Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcomes) to guide searches in the Scientific Electronic Library Online and the Virtual Health Library databases. The time frame covered the period from 2018 to 2025, and seventeen (n = 17) articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected. The findings showed that, regardless of the methodology adopted, food and nutrition education actions contribute to strengthening students’ knowledge, critical awareness, and adoption of healthier eating practices. It is concluded that schools represent a strategic environment for implementing educational practices that promote health, support food autonomy, and encourage more conscious and sustainable choices.
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References
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