Avaliação do Programa Nacional de Suplementação de Vitamina A: o olhar dos profissionais da Atenção Primária à Saúde / Evaluation of the National Vitamin A Supplementation Program: the perspective of professionals from Primary Health Care

A carência de vitamina A é considerada um problema de saúde pública em vários países de baixa e média renda, inclusive no Brasil. Nesse contexto, foi instituído o Programa Nacional de Suplementação de Vitamina A (PNSVA), com o intuito de suplementar as crianças de 6 a 59 meses com megadoses dessa vitamina. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o conhecimento dos profissionais a respeito desse programa, além da operacionalização, do funcionamento e da cobertura do PNSVA. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, realizado em Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, para o qual foram realizadas entrevistas com os profissionais de 58 Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS). Os dados da cobertura do PNSVA (2012 a 2020) foram coletados através do Sistema de Informação de Micronutrientes. Dos entrevistados, 39,6% citaram a distribuição de cápsulas de vitamina A como forma de atingir os objetivos do PNSVA, e apenas 36,2% receberam capacitação sobre o programa. Em relação à sua operacionalização, 56,9% relataram nunca terem faltado cápsulas de vitamina A na UBS, e 41,3% realizavam o registro das doses administradas no Mapa Diário de Administração de Vitamina A. Já sobre o funcionamento do programa, 61,1% o avaliaram como bom. A cobertura do PNSVA foi inferior à meta pactuada, tendo sido observadas lacunas no conhecimento, na operacionalização e no funcionamento do programa.

Vitamin A deficiency is considered a public health problem in several low-and middle-income countries, including Brazil. In this context, the National Vitamin A Supplementation Program (PNSVA) was instituted with the aim of supplementing children aged 6 to 59 months with megadoses of vitamin A. This cross-sectional study carried out in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, aimed to evaluate professionals' knowledge, operationalization, functioning, and coverage of the PNSVA. We interviewed professionals from 58 Basic Health Units and collected PNSVA coverage data (2012-2020) from the Micronutrient Information System. Of those interviewed, 39.6% cited the distribution of vitamin A capsules to achieve the PNSVA objectives, and only 36.2% received training on the program. Operationalization-wise, 56.9% reported never running out of vitamin A capsules at the Unit, and 41.3% recorded the doses administered on the Daily Map. About the operation, 61.1% rated the PNSVA as good. PNSVA coverage was below the recommended target. PNSVA functioning, operationalization, and coverage did not reach the agreed goals, highlighting the current knowledge gaps in the program.

Work of nutritionists from the Family Health Support Center in the state of Paraíba, Brazil / Atuação de nutricionistas de Núcleo de Apoio à Saúde da Família no estado da Paraíba, Brasil

INTRODUCTION: Nutritional care in Primary Health Care is essential to face the problems of food and nutrition of the Brazilian population. OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance patterns of nutritionists who are members of the Family Health Support Center in the state of Paraíba, according to training in Primary Health Care. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 34 nutritionists linked to the Family Health Support Center in the State of Paraíba. Information on demographic characteristics, professional qualification, labor specificities, knowledge, and use of essential bibliography for work in Primary Health Care, development of food and nutrition actions, and job satisfaction were collected. RESULTS: There were deficiencies in the knowledge and use of some technical documents in the area, as well as in the development of actions related to food and nutrition surveillance (completion of SISVAN-Web/e-SUS forms/sheets and interpretation of nutritional reports), vitamin A, and iron supplementation programs and care provision (monitoring of the growth and food guidance) to beneficiaries of the Bolsa Familia Program, especially among professionals without training in Primary Health Care. CONCLUSION: Nutritionists act on the actions of the food and nutrition programmatic agenda in Primary Health Care. The use of SISVAN-Web or e-SUS, activities linked to micronutrient supplementation programs, and the care provided to beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família Program were the least developed actions, particularly in the absence of training to work in Primary Health Care.

INTRODUÇÃO: O cuidado nutricional na Atenção Primária à Saúde é essencial para enfrentar os problemas de alimentação e nutrição da população brasileira. OBJETIVO: Comparar os padrões de atuação de nutricionistas integrantes de Núcleo de Apoio à Saúde da Família no Estado da Paraíba conforme a realização de treinamentos em Atenção Primária à Saúde. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, realizado com 34 nutricionistas vinculados aos Núcleo de Apoio à Saúde da Família no Estado da Paraíba. Foram coletadas informações sobre características demográficas, qualificação profissional, particularidades trabalhistas, conhecimento e utilização de bibliografia essencial para o trabalho na Atenção Primária à Saúde, desenvolvimento de ações de alimentação e nutrição, e satisfação com o trabalho. RESULTADOS: Houve deficiências no conhecimento e utilização de alguns documentos técnicos da área, bem como no desenvolvimento de ações relacionadas à vigilância alimentar e nutricional (preenchimento de formulários/fichas do SISVAN-Web/e-SUS e interpretação de relatórios nutricionais), aos programas de suplementação de vitamina A e ferro e à prestação de cuidados (acompanhamento do crescimento e orientação alimentar) a beneficiários do Programa Bolsa Família, principalmente entre os profissionais sem treinamento em Atenção Primária à Saúde. CONCLUSÃO: Os nutricionistas atuam em ações da agenda programática de alimentação e nutrição na Atenção Primária à Saúde. O uso do SISVAN-Web ou e-SUS, atividades vinculadas aos programas de suplementação com micronutrientes e a atenção prestada a beneficiários do Programa Bolsa Família foram as ações menos desenvolvidas, particularmente na ausência de capacitação para trabalhar na Atenção Primária à Saúde.

¿Quién está consumiendo productos dietéticos en Perú? Reporte de consumo de una encuesta transversal no probabilística

Objetivo: Identificar el perfil y la percepción de los consumidores de productos dietéticos en las poblaciones de Lima, Arequipa y Trujillo en Perú. Materiales y métodos: Estudio transversal analítico realizado en sujetos mayores de 18 años que eran residentes en las ciudades de Lima, Arequipa y Trujillo en Perú. El estudio se realizó en dos etapas. En la primera etapa, se realizaron entrevistas personales, para lo cual se empleó cuestionarios estructurados y estandarizados. En la segunda etapa, se diseñó un cuestionario estructurado con preguntas abiertas y cerradas relacionadas con los hábitos de uso y compra de productos dietéticos. Resultados: Se entrevistaron a 890 personas, de las cuales el 42 % señalaron que consumían productos dietéticos, de los cuales las vitaminas y los minerales eran los productos de mayor consumo. Se observó que los consumidores mantenían una frecuencia diaria y una antigüedad de consumo entre 3 y 12 meses. Además, se identificó que la recomendación de los familiares y amigos sobre el consumo de productos dietéticos tenía un nivel de confianza similar a las recomendaciones de médicos y nutricionistas. Conclusiones: Los resultados de este estudio en una muestra representativa obtenida en Lima, Arequipa y Trujillo nos indican que un alto porcentaje de la población se encuentra satisfecha consumiendo productos dietéticos con regularidad. Es importante señalar que no existen diferencias significativas entre el porcentaje de la población encuestada que consume productos dietéticos por recomendación de un nutricionista y la que los consume por sugerencia de familiares y amigos. Esto indica que es necesario mejorar los hábitos nutricionales con estrategias de educación sobre hábitos alimenticios y la adaptación del uso de productos dietéticos a una dieta balanceada. Estos resultados podrían permitir que la población haga un uso más eficaz de los productos dietéticos como herramienta para reducir deficiencias nutricionales.

Objective: To identify the profile and perception of dietary supplement users in the population of Lima, Arequipa and Trujillo, Peru. Materials and methods: An analytical cross-sectional study conducted with subjects over 18 years of age residing in the cities of Lima, Arequipa and Trujillo, Peru. The study was performed in two steps. In the first step, personal interviews were held using structured and standardized surveys. In the second step, a structured survey was designed with open and closed questions related to the purchasing and consumption habits of dietary supplements. Results: Eight hundred ninety (890) people were interviewed, out of which 42 % reported to be dietary supplement users, being vitamins and minerals the most commonly used products. It was observed that these users had been taking daily doses of dietary supplements for 3 to 12 months. Additionally, it was found that family and friends served as a source of information on dietary supplements similar to the one provided by doctors and nutritionists. Conclusions: The results of this study conducted with a representative sample from Lima, Arequipa and Trujillo showed that a high percentage of the population was satisfied with using dietary supplements regularly. It is important to point out that there were no significant differences between the percentage of the surveyed population that used dietary supplements recommended by nutritionists and the one which used them on family and friends' recommendation. This suggests that it is necessary to improve nutritional habits with educational strategies on eating habits and adapt the use of dietary supplements to a balanced diet. These results could allow the population to use dietary supplements more effectively as a tool to reduce nutritional deficiencies.

Exploring behavioural factors affecting nutritional supplement use among children in Honduras.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored social and behavioural factors associated with a home fortification of complementary foods program among families of undernourished children in 14 rural communities in Honduras. DESIGN: We collected and analysed survey data from a convenience sample of 196 households participating in a nutritional program using home fortification of complementary foods in 2017. The program supplied families with a soy-based atole powder fortified with micronutrients. A research team completed a face-to-face survey exploring social and behavioural factors associated with nutritional supplement use. Anthropometric measurements for participating children were abstracted from health clinic records of previous quarterly appointments. SETTING: The study took place in San Jose del Negrito, Honduras. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were parents or guardians of children enrolled in the nutrition program. RESULTS: Nearly half of participant families shared the nutritional supplement with other family members besides the index child, while 10 % reported using the supplement as a meal replacement for the child. Low education level of mothers was associated with improper use of the supplement (P = 0·005). Poorer families were more likely to share the supplement (P = 0·013). CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the challenges of programs using home fortification of complementary foods in the context of food scarcity. Findings highlight the importance of increasing rural children's overall caloric intake, perhaps by increasing access to locally available protein sources. Results also suggest transitioning nutritional programs to family-based interventions to increase overall intended compliance to nutrition programming.

Nutrition Education Programs Aimed at African Mothers of Infant Children: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Child malnutrition is a major epidemiological problem in developing countries, especially in African countries. Nutrition education for mothers can alleviate this malnutrition in their young children. The objective of this study was to make a systematic review to assess the effect of intervention programs in nutrition education for African mothers on the nutritional status of their infants. METHODS: A bibliographic search was carried out in the PubMed database for clinical trials between November 2012 and 2021. The studies should contain educational programs to evaluate the impact on the infant's nutritional indicators in children under 5 years (food consumption, anthropometry and/or knowledge of nutrition in caretakers). RESULTS: A total of 20 articles were selected, of which 53% evaluated infant's food consumption, 82% anthropometric measurements and 30% nutritional knowledge. In general, nutritional education programs are accredited with some significant improvements in food and nutrient consumption, knowledge and dietary practices in complementary feeding, but only those studies that implemented strategies in agriculture, educational workshops and supplementation obtained reductions in chronic malnutrition figures. LIMITATIONS: There is high heterogeneity in the articles included, since the intervention programs have different approaches. CONCLUSIONS: Programs that implemented actions of national agriculture or nutritional supplementation reap the greatest benefits in curbing infant malnutrition.

[To the question of the international experience of vitaminization food and food as population health technologies].

The article provides an overview of official documents and scientific literature on the development of a policy of enrichment of vitamins and minerals with diets of the population at the level of international organizations in various countries and in the world as a whole. International programs on micronutrient fortification of food products are considered from the standpoint of protecting public health. The article focuses on the availability and effectiveness of ways to improve the vitamin and mineral status of various social groups.

Impacto de la suplementación con micronutrientes sobre la desnutrición crónica infantil en Perú / Impact of micronutrient supplementation on chronic childhood malnutrition in Peru

Resumen La Desnutrición crónica infantil (DCI) condiciona el desarrollo físico y mental de los niños y niñas. A largo plazo, una alta incidencia puede generar y reforzar un círculo vicioso de desigualdad y pobreza. En ese sentido, evaluar el impacto de las intervenciones para reducir la DCI es importante para determinar si las políticas son efectivas o no. Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto de la suplementación con micronutrientes sobre los niveles de desnutrición cronica infantil en el Perú en el periodo 2014-2017. Material y metodos: Se utilizó información de los niños y niñas de 6 a 59 meses de edad de la Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar (ENDES) de los años del 2014 al 2017. Se aplicó una estimación cuantitativa de naturaleza econometrica que consta de dos pasos. Primero se balancea la muestra mediante dos metodologias: Entropy Balancing (EB) y Machine Learning (ML). Luego se realizan estimaciones de diferencias para dos variables, la probabilidad de sufrir DCI y el puntaje Z entre quienes sufren DCI. Resultados: El haber realizado algun consumo de micronutrientes incrementa la probabilidad de sufrir desnutrición cronica. Se encuentran efectos positivos sobre el puntaje Z en los niños con DCI a partir de 54,1 sobres consumidos. Cuando se incluyen variables de control, los resultados no varian considerablemente. Conclusiones: La suplementación con micronutrientes tiene efectos negativos en la reducción de la DCI. Un impacto positivo solo se encuentra en los niños con DCI y que consumen más de 54,1 sobres; para cantidades menores, el consumo empeora los niveles de DCI.

Summary Chronic childhood malnutrition (CCM) affects mental and physical development of children. In the long-term, a high incidence of CCM generates a vicious circle of inequality and poverty. Therefore, evaluating the impact of interventions to ameliorate CCM may be a useful indicator of implemented policies. Objective : to evaluate the impact of micronutrient supplementation on chronic childhood malnutrition in Peru from 2014-2017. Methods : Data from Encuesta Demografica y de Salud Familiar (ENDES) from 2014-2017 including children from 6 to 59 months of age were gathered. A two-step quantitative estimation was applied. first, the sample was balanced using Entropy Balancing (EB) and Machine Learning (ML). Second, differences in two variables were estimated, probability of having CCM and the Z score among those with CCM. Results : having consumed some micronutrient increases the probability of having CCM. A positive effect on the Z score was found above 54.1 sachets consumed. Results did not change after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions: micronutrient supplementation has a negative effect in reducing CCM, a positive effect was found at bigger consumptions.

Targeting malnutrition: Nutrition programs yield cost savings for hospitalized patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Between 30 and 50% of Colombian patients are malnourished or at-risk of malnutrition on hospital admission. Malnutrition is associated with poor outcomes and increased costs. We used cost modeling to estimate savings that could be derived from implementation of a nutrition therapy program for patients at malnutrition risk. METHODS: The budget impact analysis was performed using previously-published outcomes data. Outcomes included length of stay, 30-day readmissions, and infectious/non-infectious complications. We developed a Markov model that compared patients who were assigned to receive early nutrition therapy (started within 24-48 h of hospital admission) with those assigned to receive standard nutrition therapy (not started early). Our model used a 60-day time-horizon and estimated event probabilities based on published data. RESULTS: Average total costs over 60 days were $3770 US dollars for patients with delayed nutrition therapy vs $2419 for patients with early nutrition therapy-a savings of $1351 (35.8% decrease) per nutrition-treated patient. Cost differences between the groups were: $2703 vs $1600 for hospital-associated costs; $883 vs $665 for readmissions; and $176 vs $94 for complications. Taken broadly, the potential costs savings from a nutrition care program for an estimated 638,318 hospitalized Colombian patients at malnutrition risk is $862.6 million per year. CONCLUSIONS: Our budget impact analysis demonstrated the potential for hospital-based nutrition care programs to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs for hospitalized patients in Colombia. These findings provide a rationale for implementing comprehensive nutrition care in Colombian hospitals.

Decisões Alimentares de Beneficiárias do Programa Bolsa Família: a Renda é o Único Determinante do "Comer Saudável"? / Food Decision-Making of Beneficiaries of Bolsa Família Program: is Income the Only Determinant for "Healthy Eating"?

Objetivo: O presente estudo objetivou avaliar os aspectos relacionados às decisões alimentares de beneficiárias do Programa Bolsa Família, no intuito de compreender melhor os hábitos alimentares e nortear o desenvolvimento de ações envolvendo a alimentação desse público. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, quali-quantitativo, realizado com 73 beneficiárias do programa, atendidas por uma Unidade de Saúde da Família de João Pessoa-PB. Resultados: Os resultados apontam que os principais fatores levados em consideração para as decisões alimentares foram "preferências pessoais, associadas ao gosto pelo alimento" (91,8%), e "se este é saboroso"(90,4%). O sabor foi considerado como um fator "importante ou muito importante" na escolha dos alimentos de 91,8% dos entrevistados. O "preço", a "preocupação com a saúde", ou se "o alimento é saudável"também foram apontados como fatores influenciadores no momento da compra por mais de 70% das beneficiárias. Nenhuma das variáveis apresentou associação estatisticamente significativa com as categorias de renda das participantes. Conclusão: O estudo destaca, portanto, a importância de se considerar esse contexto multifatorial e holístico das decisões alimentares, para intervir mais efetivamente na promoção da alimentação saudável. (AU)

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the aspects related to food decision-making of beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família Program, to better understand dietary habits and guide the development of actions involving the dietary habits of this public. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional, qualitative and quantitative study carried out with 73 beneficiaries of the pro-gram, developed at the Primary Health Care Service in Joao Pessoa-PB. Results: The results indicate that the main factors considered for food decision-making were "personal preferences, associated with the taste for food" (91.8%) and "if it is tasty" (90.4%). The taste was considered as an "important or very important" factor in the food choice of 91.8% of the interviewees. "Pricing," "health concern," or "if the food is healthy" were also cited as influencing factors when buying food, by more than 70 percent of beneficiaries. No statistically significant association was found between any variable and the income categories of the participants. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the impor-tance of considering this multifactorial and holistic context of food decision-making in order to intervene more effectively in the promotion of healthy eating. (AU)

Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior: Food and Nutrition Programs for Community-Residing Older Adults.

Given the increasing number and diversity of older adults and the transformation of health care services in the United States, it is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior that all older adults should have access to evidence-based food and nutrition programs that ensure the availability of safe and adequate food to promote optimal nutrition, health, functionality, and quality of life. Registered dietitian nutritionists and nutrition and dietetics technicians, registered, in partnership with other practitioners and nutrition educators, should be actively involved in programs that provide coordinated services between the community and health care systems that include regular monitoring and evaluation of programming outcomes. The rapidly growing older population, increased demand for integrated continuous support systems, and rising cost of health care underscore the need for these programs. Programs must include food assistance and meal programs, nutritional screening and assessment, nutrition education, medical nutrition therapy, monitoring, evaluation, and documentation of evidence-based outcomes. Coordination with long-term care services and support systems is necessary to allow older adults to remain in their homes; improve or maintain their health and manage chronic disease; better navigate transitions of care; and reduce avoidable hospital, acute, or long-term care facility admissions. Funding of these programs requires evidence of their effectiveness, especially regarding health, functionality, and health care-related outcomes of interest to individuals, caregivers, payers, and policy makers. Targeting of food and nutrition programs involves addressing unmet needs for services, particularly among those at high risk for poor nutrition. Registered dietitian nutritionists and nutrition and dietetics technicians, registered must increase programmatic efforts to measure outcomes to evaluate community-based food and nutrition services. POSITION STATEMENT: It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior that older adults should have access to evidence-based food and nutrition programs that ensure the availability of safe and adequate food to promote optimal nutrition, health, functionality, and quality of life. Registered dietitian nutritionists and nutrition and dietetics technicians, registered, in partnership with other practitioners and nutrition educators, should be actively involved in programs that provide coordinated services between the community and health care systems that include regular monitoring and evaluation of programming outcomes. The rapidly growing older population, increased demand for integrated continuous support systems, and rising cost of health care underscore the need for these programs.

Percepção das beneficiárias sobre o Programa Brasileiro de Prevenção e Controle da Deficiência de Vitamina A / Beneficiaries' perception regarding the Brazilian Program of Prevention and Control of Vitamin A Deficiency

Objetivo: compreender a percepção das beneficiárias sobre o Programa Nacional de Suplementação de Vitamina A no município de Campina Grande, no estado da Paraíba, no Brasil. Métodos: estudo qualitativo com amostra de 25 sujeitos definida pelo processo de saturação teórica. A coleta ocorreu por meio de entrevistas, utilizando-se roteiro com questões norteadoras sobre o Programa, que foram gravadas em aparelho de áudio. Após transcrição na íntegra, as falas foram submetidas a análise de conteúdo. Resultados: a percepção das beneficiárias mostrou saber popular sobre a vitamina A, mecanicidade da suplementação e desconhecimento e invisibilidade do Programa. Conclusão: as falas revelaram percepção das beneficiárias de desconhecimento e invisibilidade do Programa e de seus componentes.

Objective: understanding the perception of the beneficiaries regarding Vitamin A Supply National Program in the municipality of Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil. Methods: a qualitative study with a sample of 25 subjects defined by a theoretical saturation process. The data collection was carried out by means of interviews, using a script comprising of guiding questions about the Program, which were recorded on an audio device. After fully transcribed, the speeches were submitted to content analyses. Results: the perception of the beneficiaries showed lay knowledge about vitamin A, mechanicity of the supplementation and unfamiliarity and invisibility of the Program. Conclusion: the interviews revealed that according to the perception of the beneficiaries the Program and its components were unfamiliar and invisible to them.

Integrating nutrition services into health care systems platforms: Where are we and where do we go from here.

Integrating maternal-child nutrition into health care services is a desirable but complex task that requires implementation research studies. This special supplement, entitled "How to Strengthen Nutrition into the Health Platform: Programmatic Evidence and Experience from Low- and Middle-Income Countries" presents a collection of mixed-methods research and case studies mostly conducted in sub-Saharan Africa that help us gain a better understanding of the barriers and facilitators for this integration to happen. Collectively, the evidence confirms that integrating nutrition services as part of health care systems and other platforms is feasible, but for that to be successful, there is a need to address strong barriers related to all six key health care systems building blocks identified by the World Health Organization. These include financing, health information systems, health workforce, supplies and technology, governance, and service delivery. Moving forward, it is crucial that more robust implementation science research is conducted within the rough and tumble of real-world programming to better understand how to best integrate and scale up nutrition services across health care systems and other platforms based on dynamic complex adaptive systems frameworks. This research can help better understand how the key health care systems building blocks need to interlock and communicate with each other to improve the policymakers' ability to integrate and scale up nutrition services in a more timely and cost-effective way.

A socio-historical approach to policy analysis: the case of the Brazilian Workers' Food Policy / Uma abordagem sócio-histórica à análise de políticas: o caso do Programa de Alimentação do Trabalhador no Brasil / Un enfoque sociohistórico para el análisis de políticas: el caso de la Política Alimentaria de los Trabajadores de Brasil

Abstract: Policy analyses based on traditional or structuralist definitions of the state are important, but they have some limitations for explaining processes related to policymaking, implementation, and results. Bourdieusian sociology links the analysis to objective and subjective dimensions of social practices and can help elucidate these phenomena. This article provides such empirical evidence by analyzing the social genesis of a Brazilian policy that currently serves 18 million workers and was established by the state in 1976 through the Fiscal Incentives Program for Workers' Nutrition (PIFAT/PAT). The study linked the analysis of the trajectory of social agents involved in the policy's formulation to the historical conditions that allowed the policy to exist in the first place. Although the literature treats the policy as a workers' food program (PAT), the current study showed that it actually represented a new model for paying financial subsidies to companies that provided food to their employees, meanwhile upgrading the commercial market for collective meals. The study further showed that the program emerged as an administrative policy, but linked to economic agents. The program became a specific social space in which issues related to workers' nutrition became secondary, but useful for disguising what had been an explicit side of its genesis, namely its essentially fiscal nature.

Resumo: Análises de políticas que partem das concepções clássicas ou estruturalistas do Estado, embora importantes, apresentam algumas limitações na explicação dos processos relacionados com a sua formulação, implementação e resultados. A sociologia Bourdieusiana, ao articular a análise das dimensões objetivas e subjetivas das práticas sociais, pode contribuir para a compreensão desses fenômenos. Este artigo traz evidências empíricas a esse respeito ao analisar a sociogênese de uma política brasileira que atende atualmente a 18 milhões de trabalhadores e que foi instituída pelo Estado em 1976, consubstanciada no Programa de Incentivo Fiscal da Alimentação do Trabalhador (PIFAT/PAT). O trabalho articulou a análise da trajetória dos agentes sociais envolvidos com a sua formulação e o estudo das condições históricas de possibilidade de sua emergência. Embora a literatura a trate como um programa de alimentação do trabalhador (PAT), o presente estudo revelou que, de fato, ela representou um novo modelo de subsídio financeiro às empresas que ofereciam alimentação aos seus empregados, potencializando o mercado de refeições coletivas. Foi ainda constatado que o programa emergiu no interior do campo burocrático, mas em articulação com agentes do campo econômico. Constituiu-se como espaço social específico, em que as questões relacionadas à alimentação se mostraram secundárias, mas úteis na ocultação da face antes explícita em sua gênese: sua natureza essencialmente tributária.

Resumen: Análisis de políticas que parten de concepciones clásicas o estructuralistas del Estado que, pese a que son importantes, presentan algunas limitaciones en la explicación de los procesos relacionados con su formulación, implementación y resultados. La sociología Bourdieusiana, al vincular el análisis de las dimensiones objetivas y subjetivas de las prácticas sociales, puede contribuir a la comprensión de estos fenómenos. Este artículo presenta evidencias empíricas a este respecto, al analizar la sociogénesis de una política brasileña que atiende actualmente a 18 millones de trabajadores, y que fue instituida por el Estado en 1976, consustancial al Programa de Incentivo Fiscal de la Alimentación del Trabajador (PIFAT/PAT). El estudio trata tanto sobre el análisis de la trayectoria de los agentes sociales implicados en su formulación, como sobre el estudio de las condiciones históricas acerca de las posibilidades para su aparición. A pesar de que la literatura lo considere un programa de alimentación del trabajador (PAT), el presente estudio reveló que, de hecho, representó un nuevo modelo de subsidio financiero para las empresas que ofrecían alimentación a sus empleados, potenciando el mercado de comidas colectivas. Se constató incluso que el programa surgió dentro del ámbito burocrático, pero en coordinación con agentes del área económica. Se constituyó como un espacio social específico, donde las cuestiones relacionadas con la alimentación se mostraron secundarias, pero útiles para el ocultar un aspecto antes explícito en su génesis: su naturaleza eminentemente tributaria.

Recomendaciones para intervenciones con suplementos de hierro: lecciones aprendidas en un ensayo comunitario en cuatro regiones del Perú / Recommendations for interventions with iron supplements: lessons learned in a community trial in four regions of Peru

Los programas de suplementación con hierro, a pesar de contar con evidencia de que funcionan en condiciones controladas, no muestran efectividad en las intervenciones a gran escala a través de los servicios de salud, porque implica garantizar una serie de procesos durante la ejecución que, al no cumplirse, producen fallas en la implementación del programa. En muchos casos la falta de impacto en las intervenciones con hierro se debe a estas fallas o desviaciones de la implementación, más que a fallas en el diseño de la intervención (teoría del cambio) o estrategia. Bajo esa premisa, el objetivo del presente artículo es compartir las lecciones aprendidas en la ejecución, durante el año 2015, del ensayo comunitario para mejorar la adherencia a suplementación con micronutrientes en polvo en niños menores de 3 años de 4 regiones del Perú y brindar recomendaciones puntuales a las intervenciones con suplementos de hierro en población infantil con la finalidad de contribuir a cerrar las brechas de implementación y mejorar la ejecución de estas políticas públicas.

Iron supplementation programs, despite evidence of their effectiveness in controlled conditions, are not effective as largescale interventions in health services because of the necessary involvement during execution of a series of processes that, when not fulfilled, limit the implementation of the program. In many cases, the lack of impact of interventions to provide iron supplements is the result of failures or deviations from execution rather than flaws in the intervention design (theory of change) or intervention strategy. The objective of this study was to share the lessons learned in the execution of a community trial in 2015 to improve adherence to micronutrient powder supplementation in children younger than 3 years in four regions of Peru, as well as to provide recommendations on iron supplementation in children to help close gaps in the design and execution of public policies.

The Influence of School Nutrition Programs on the Weight of Low-Income Children: A Treatment Effect Analysis.

Recent policy attempts to set high nutrition standards for the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and National School Lunch Program (NSLP) aim to improve children's health outcomes. A timely and policy-relevant task evaluates to what extent school meal programs contribute to child body mass index (BMI) outcomes to assess those school meal policies' potential impacts. This study examines children's weight progress from 1st through 8th grade, while recognizing the potential effects on those children participating in both programs compared with those children participating in only one program. We used difference-in-differences (DID) and average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) methodologies and focused on free- and reduced-price meal-eligible children to filter out income effects. The DID results show that short-term participation in only NSLP increases the probability that children will be overweight, and these results are more prominent in the South, Northeast, and rural areas. ATT results show that participation in both programs from 1st through 8th grade increases the probability that these students will be overweight. With the Community Eligibility Provision having taken effect across the nation in the 2014-2015 school year, the need to continue examining the impacts of these programs on child BMI is even greater. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Fortification of foods with vitamin D in India: strategies targeted at children.

Vitamin D deficiency is endemic in India, despite abundant sunshine, due to several socioeconomic and cultural constraints. Fortification of staple foods with vitamin D is a viable population-based strategy for the general population in India. These strategies are discussed in the review article entitled, "Fortification of Foods With Vitamin D in India" [1]. The quantity of foods consumed by children is much smaller compared to adults. Therefore, children need energy-dense and micronutrient-dense foods to meet their daily nutritional requirements. Targeted food fortification programs are needed to meet the special needs of children. This review explores potential strategies that could be used for fortification of foods with vitamin D for children in India. Sattu has the potential to be a valuable vehicle for vitamin D fortification in India. The salient characteristics and merits of sattu as an ideal food to be fortified with micronutrients, especially vitamin D, are reviewed here. Key teaching points: • Fortification of foods with vitamin D, specifically targeted towards the nutritional requirements of infants and children, is a viable strategy in the Indian scenario. •Government programs targeting the nutritional needs of children in India, especially via midday meal programs in schools, should incorporate indigenous ready-to-eat foods fortified with micronutrients including vitamin D. These foods would need to have longer shelf life, require minimal preparation, and have economic and technological feasibility. • Sattu, a protein rich Indian fast food, comprised of roasted flour made from cereals and legumes, has immense potential to serve as an economically and technologically feasible fortification vehicle for vitamin D fortification strategies.

Association between food assistance program participation and overweight / Associação entre participação em programa de assistência alimentar e sobrepeso

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to investigate the association between food assistance program participation and overweight/obesity according to poverty level. METHODS A cross-sectional analysis of data from 46,217 non-pregnant and non-lactating women in Lima, Peru was conducted; these data were obtained from nationally representative surveys from the years 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2008-2010. The dependent variable was overweight/obesity, and the independent variable was food assistance program participation. Poisson regression was used to stratify the data by family socioeconomic level, area of residence (Lima versus the rest of the country; urban versus rural), and survey year (2003-2006 versus 2008-2010). The models were adjusted for age, education level, urbanization, and survey year. RESULTS Food assistance program participation was associated with an increased risk of overweight/obesity in women living in homes without poverty indicators [prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.29; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06;1.57]. When stratified by area of residence, similar associations were observed for women living in Lima and urban areas; no associations were found between food assistance program participation and overweight/obesity among women living outside of Lima or in rural areas, regardless of the poverty status. CONCLUSIONS Food assistance program participation was associated with overweight/obesity in non-poor women. Additional studies are required in countries facing both aspects of malnutrition. .

OBJETIVO Investigar associação entre participação no programa de assistência alimentar e sobrepeso/obesidade, segundo nível de pobreza. MÉTODOS Estudo transversal com dados sobre 46.217 mulheres não gestantes e não lactantes, de Lima, Peru, obtidos de pesquisas, com representatividade nacional, nos anos de 2003, 2004, 2006 e 2008-2010. A variável dependente foi o sobrepeso/obesidade e a independente foi a participação no programa de assistência alimentar. Utilizou-se regressão de Poisson; os modelos foram estratificados por nível socioeconômico familiar para todo o país, por área de residência (Lima versus o resto do país; urbano versus residência rural) e anos de estudo (2003-2006 versus 2008-2010). Os modelos foram ajustados por idade, nível acadêmico, urbanização e ano de estudo. RESULTADOS Participar do programa de assistência alimentar associou-se com risco aumentado de sobrepeso/obesidade para as mulheres que viviam em domicílios sem indicadores de pobreza (PR = 1,29; IC95% 1,06;1,57). Quando estratificados por área de residência, foram observadas associações similares para as mulheres que vivem em Lima e em áreas urbanas; não foram encontradas associações entre a participação no programa de assistência alimentar e sobrepeso/obesidade entre as mulheres que vivem fora de Lima ou em áreas rurais, independentemente de sua condição de pobreza. CONCLUSÕES Participar do programa de assistência alimentar associou-se com sobrepeso/obesidade para mulheres não pobres. Estudos adicionais serão necessários em países que enfrentam ambas as faces da má nutrição. .

Reflexões de agricultores familiares sobre a dinâmica de fornecimento de seus produtos para a alimentação escolar: o caso de Araripe, Ceará / Reflections by family farmers on the dynamics of providing their products for school food: the case of Araripe, Ceará, Brazil

As transformações ocorridas na sociedade atual refletem diretamente em escolhas alimentares não saudáveis. Como consequência desse padrão alimentar, surgem o sobrepeso e a obesidade, e também doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. O Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (o PNAE) configura uma importante estratégia do Governo Federal para o enfrentamento desse problema alimentar. Desde suas primeiras resoluções, busca-se cada vez mais cardápios saudáveis, regionalizados e adaptados à cultura local. A mais recente normativa do programa obriga estados e municípios a comprarem parte de seus alimentos de agricultores familiares rurais. Este estudo analisa reflexões dos agricultores familiares em relação à dinâmica de abastecimento dos produtos da agricultura familiar para a alimentação escolar. Trata-se de um estudo de caso, realizado segundo a técnica qualitativa por meio de entrevista semiestruturada no município de Araripe, Ceará. Foram entrevistados catorze agricultores familiares que fornecem gêneros alimentícios para escolas e identificadas duas categorias principais nos depoimentos: dificuldades e benefícios. Pode-se perceber que questões relacionadas ao pagamento, ao transporte e a estrutura física destacaram-se como os principais entraves para que essa prática fosse efetivada. Quanto aos benefícios, o mais recorrente foi a oportunidade de emprego que esse mercado trouxe. Os resultados indicam a necessidade de ações por parte da gestão local para reconhecer o potencial agrícola dessa região, além de estabelecer parcerias com outros órgãos, com vistas a melhorar a capacitação desses agricultores e subsidiá-los no atendimento às especificações legais do programa. Isso pode contribuir para o aumento da renda e da qualidade de vida entre as famílias rurais.(AU)

Bellagio Report on Healthy Agriculture, Healthy Nutrition, Healthy People / Informe Bellagio sobre la actividad agropecuaria y la nutrición para la salud de las personas

The Bellagio Report on Healthy Agriculture, Healthy Nutrition, Healthy People is the result of the meeting held at the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center in Lake Como, Italy 30 October-1 November, 2012. The meeting was science-based but policy-oriented. The role and amount of healthy and unhealthy fats, with attention to the relative content of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, sugar, and particularly fructose in foods that may underlie the epidemics of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide were extensively discussed. The report concludes that sugar consumption, especially in the form of high energy fructose in soft drinks, poses a major and insidious health threat, especially in children, and most diets, although with regional differences, are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids and too high in omega-6 fatty acids. Gene-nutrient interactions in growth and development and in disease prevention are fundamental to health, therefore regional Centers on Genetics, Nutrition and Fitness for Health should be established worldwide. Heads of state and government must elevate, as a matter of urgency, nutrition as a national priority, that access to a healthy diet should be considered a human right and that the lead responsibility for nutrition should be placed in Ministries of Health rather than agriculture so that the health requirements drive agricultural priorities, not vice versa. Nutritional security should be given the same priority as food security.

El Informe Bellagio sobre la actividad agropecuaria y la nutrición para la salud de las personas es el resultado de la reunión celebrada del 30 de octubre al 1 de noviembre del 2012 en el Centro Bellagio de la Fundación Rockefeller, ubicado a orillas del lago de Como (Italia). La reunión se basó en datos científicos, pero estuvo orientada a cuestiones de política. Se trataron ampliamente los temas de la función y la cantidad de las grasas saludables y las grasas poco saludables en los alimentos, con atención especial a su contenido relativo de ácidos grasos omega-3 y omega-6, y de azúcar, en particular fructosa, que pueden ser la causa de la epidemia de enfermedades no transmisibles en el mundo. El informe concluye que el consumo de azúcares, sobre todo en la forma de fructosa de alto contenido energético contenida en las bebidas gaseosas, supone una amenaza grave e insidiosa para la salud, especialmente en la niñez, y que la mayoría de los regímenes alimentarios, aunque con diferencias regionales, contienen cantidades insuficientes de ácidos grasos omega-3 y cantidades demasiado elevadas de ácidos grasos omega-6. Dado que las interacciones entre los genes y los nutrientes durante el crecimiento y el desarrollo, así como en la prevención de las enfermedades, son fundamentales para la salud, deben establecerse en todo el mundo centros regionales de genética, nutrición y buena condición física para promover la salud. Los jefes de Estado y de gobierno deben elevar la nutrición, con carácter de urgencia, al nivel de prioridad nacional, lograr que el acceso a un régimen alimentario saludable se considere un derecho humano, y hacer que la responsabilidad principal en materia de nutrición recaiga en los ministerios de salud, en lugar de en los ministerios de agricultura y ganadería, a fin de que las necesidades de salud orienten las prioridades agropecuarias, y no a la inversa. Debe asignarse a la seguridad nutricional la misma prioridad que a la seguridad alimentaria.

Métodos de análise em programas de segurança alimentar e nutricional: uma experiência no Brasil / Methods of analysis of food and nutritional security programs: an experience in Brazil

O desenvolvimento de métodos que permitam analisar programas e políticas públicas é ponto chave para que os seus objetivos sejam alcançados. Este estudo apresenta uma experiência brasileira de análise de dois programas de segurança alimentar e nutricional, em municípios do nordeste do país: Programa Nacional de Suplementação de Vitamina A e acompanhamento das condicionalidades de saúde do Programa Bolsa Família. Adaptou-se metodologia proposta pela Organização das Nações Unidas para Agricultura e Alimentação. As etapas metodológicas compreenderam a definição dos programas a serem analisados, dos locais de coleta de dados, do público participante da pesquisa e dos procedimentos de coleta e análise dos dados. A metodologia utilizada permitiu apreender a percepção dos diferentes atores sociais envolvidos na operacionalização dos programas acerca destes, mostrando-se como uma importante ferramenta de inserção destes atores não apenas como objetos de análise, mas principalmente como sujeitos de autoavaliação.

The development of methods that enable analysis of programs and public policies is a key point for their objectives to be attained. This study presents a Brazilian experience of analysis of two food and nutritional security programs in cities in Brazil's northeast region, namely the National Program for Vitamin A Supplementation, and monitoring health conditions of those included in the Family Allowance Program. The methodological stages included the definition of programs to be analyzed, data collection locations, the population participating in the research, collection procedures and data analysis. The methodology used made it possible to ascertain the perception of the different social actors involved in the operationalization of these programs, proving to be an important tool for the insertion of these actors, not only as objects of analysis, but also mainly as subjects of self-evaluation.