Private school canteens: an analysis of the economic and financial aspects of the traditional and the healthy models.

BACKGROUND: One of the reasons for the more prominent resistance of canteen managers to implementing healthy canteens is based on the belief in the economic infeasibility of these models. The research aimed to verify the economic and financial viability of traditional and healthy models of school canteens in a Brazilian metropolis. METHODS: The case study was carried out with 36 companies in the school canteen sector in a Brazilian metropolis. The classification of items sold in canteens considered the extent and purpose of food processing according to the NOVA Classification. The characterization and definition of traditional canteens and healthy canteens were proposed considering the amount of in natura or minimally processed foods and culinary preparations without the presence of ultra-processed foods; the percentage of ultra-processed foods or processed foods or culinary preparations with the presence of ultra-processed foods; and the existence of prohibited foods. The economic and financial analysis was carried out mainly through the evaluation of profitability. Data were collected through an electronic self-administered questionnaire sent to canteen managers. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare medians and the Chi-Square/Fisher's Exact Test to compare proportions. RESULTS: The study included six companies, responsible for 36 canteen units in private schools, 30 classified in the traditional model (83.3%), and six in the healthy model (16.7%). The median percentage of natural, minimally processed foods and commercialized culinary preparations was higher among the healthy model canteens (87.9% vs. 60.0%, p < 0.001). While the median percentage of ultra-processed, processed, or preparations with the presence of ultra-processed (40.0% vs. 12.1%, p < 0.001) and prohibited foods (10.0% vs. 0%, p < 0.001) sold was higher in the traditional model canteens. The results indicated that the profitability in the healthy canteens was higher (p < 0.001) than in the traditional ones. CONCLUSIONS: Healthy school canteens showed better financial and economic results compared to traditional canteens with emphasis on greater profitability and a shorter recovery time of the initial investment.

Environmental factors associated with excessive gestational weight gain: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

The aim is, systematically examine the scientific evidences that associated environmental factors (environment, social environment, environmental planning and spatial population distribution) with the excessive gestational weight gain. A meta-analysis and systematic review carried out as per the Cochrane Handbook recommendations and following the steps recommended by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes. The inclusion studies were done with the following PECO criteria: P-pregnant women, E-environmental factors, O-weight gain. The search procedure was conducted on the databases EMBASE, Web of Science, Cinahl, LILACS and MEDLINE (PubMed). The relationship between the socioeconomic factors of the micro-region of residence and gestational weight gain was evidenced by the linkage between residing in high-poverty neighborhoods and inadequate gestational weight gain. This study revealed the higher prevalence of excessive gestational weight gain in pregnant women those lives in urban areas. Environmental factors of the pregnant women's residence area implicated in the excessive gestational weight gain. Our findings can therefore contribute to the development of public policies to prevent inadequate gestational weight gain.

Environmental factors associated with excessive gestational weight gain: a meta-analysis and systematic review / Fatores ambientais associados ao ganho de peso gestacional excessivo: uma meta-análise e revisão sistemática

Abstract The aim is, systematically examine the scientific evidences that associated environmental factors (environment, social environment, environmental planning and spatial population distribution) with the excessive gestational weight gain. A meta-analysis and systematic review carried out as per the Cochrane Handbook recommendations and following the steps recommended by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes. The inclusion studies were done with the following PECO criteria: P-pregnant women, E-environmental factors, O-weight gain. The search procedure was conducted on the databases EMBASE, Web of Science, Cinahl, LILACS and MEDLINE (PubMed). The relationship between the socioeconomic factors of the micro-region of residence and gestational weight gain was evidenced by the linkage between residing in high-poverty neighborhoods and inadequate gestational weight gain. This study revealed the higher prevalence of excessive gestational weight gain in pregnant women those lives in urban areas. Environmental factors of the pregnant women's residence area implicated in the excessive gestational weight gain. Our findings can therefore contribute to the development of public policies to prevent inadequate gestational weight gain.

Resumo O objetivo é examinar sistematicamente as evidências científicas que associam fatores ambientais (meio ambiente, meio ambiente social, planejamento ambiental e distribuição espacial da população) com o excessivo ganho de peso gestacional. Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática e meta-análise realizada seguindo os passos recomendados pelo Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes. Os estudos de incluídos basearam-se nos seguintes critérios PECO: P-gestantes, E-fatores ambientais, O-ganho de peso gestacional. O procedimento de pesquisa foi conduzido nas bases de dados EMBASE, Web of Science, Cinahl, LILACS e MEDLINE (PubMed). A relação entre os fatores socioeconômicos da microrregião de residência e o ganho de peso gestacional foi evidenciada pela ligação entre a residência em bairros de alta pobreza e o ganho de peso gestacional inadequado. Este estudo revelou a maior prevalência de ganho de peso gestacional excessivo em gestantes que vivem em áreas urbanas. Fatores ambientais da área de residência das gestantes implicados no ganho de peso gestacional excessivo. As descobertas desse estudo podem, portanto, contribuir para o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas para evitar o ganho de peso gestacional inadequado.

The coexistence of obesogenic behaviors among Brazilian adolescents and their associated factors.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity in adolescents has increased significantly in recent years. The growth of obesity is motivated by the association with modifiable behaviors, however, this behavioral are commonly evaluated individually, not considering the possibility of these factors coexisting in the individual. The purpose of this essay was to identify the coexistence of obesogenic behaviors among Brazilian adolescents and to assess the factors associated with the presence of these behaviors. METHODS: This a cross-sectional, national, school-based study with data from the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), totaling a sample of 71,552 Brazilian adolescents. To identify the coexistence of obesogenic behaviors in adolescents, the Principal Component Analysis has been performed. To assess the association between factors that influence the coexistence of modifiable behaviors in the pattern of obesogenic behavior, logistic regression was used. The magnitude of the associations was estimated by the Odds Ratio (OR), with the respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). RESULTS: The component was characterized by a higher percentage of ultra-processed food intake, longer in front of screens, having a habit of snacking in front of the television, and not having the habit of eating breakfast. In the adjusted logistic model, it shows that female adolescents and who declare themselves black are more likely to belong to the third tertile of the pattern of obesogenic behavior. As for teenagers who sometimes or almost always or always have lunch or dinner with parents or guardians, who have longer hours of sleep and who live in economically disadvantaged regions have reduced chances of belonging to the third tertile of the pattern of obesogenic behavior. CONCLUSION: The identification of obesogenic behavior patterns allows assertive interventions to eliminate or reduce these changeable behaviors, also aiming at the possibility of reducing obesity among adolescents.

Food and Nutrition Education Using Intuitive Method and NOVA Food Classification: Implications for Food Practices of Children and Adolescents Intuitive Method in Food and Nutrition Education.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of food and nutrition education interventions based on the intuitive method (IM) proposed by Johaan Henrich Pestalozzi (1746-1827) at different time periods on the food practices of children and adolescents. DESIGN: This was a prospective comparative intervention program assessed by a pre-post survey at shorter term (3 months) and longer term (6 months). SETTING: Two institutions that provide extracurricular social support for children and adolescents with social and economic vulnerabilities in the city of Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The shorter-term intervention was conducted in Institution A and the longer term one conducted in Institution B. SUBJECTS: The sample consisted of 245 students aged between 5 and 14 years who attended the institutions. For each institution, they were divided into two groups (control and IM). INTERVENTION: We compared the effectiveness of the interventions performed by the IM or by expository actions (control) in both institutions. Interventions were focused on the guidelines of the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population and dealt with food choices, meal preparation, commensality, and obstacles to healthy eating. MEASURES: The assessed outcomes were food consumption according to NOVA food classification, cooking self-efficacy, and knowledge about food and nutrition. ANALYSIS: Paired t-tests were used to compare food consumption before and after interventions. Adjusted logistic regression models were used to analyze the outcomes on food and nutrition knowledge and cooking self-efficacy. RESULTS: Subjects receiving IM interventions decreased mean intake of ultra-processed food (3.56 to 1.50 portions; P< .001) and had greater odds of increasing self-efficacy with cooking (OR = 2,33-4,17). Both methods were effective regarding teaching about food and nutrition. Intervention period did not homogeneously impact these outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The use of food and nutrition education interventions presented positive outcomes on the food practices of the participants. The IM is an alternative method to educate children and adolescents about healthy eating practices.

Environmental and individual factors associated with gestational weight gain.

BACKGROUND: Environmental factors have an impact on inappropriate food choices and sedentary lifestyle, and both individually and in combination these factors favour improper gestational weight gain (GWG) and consequent maternal and neonatal health problems. The objective of this study was to analyze the environmental and individual factors associated with GWG. METHODS: Data were from "Born in Belo Horizonte: Survey on childbirth and birth", a hospital-based retrospective cohort of 506 pregnant women with deliveries in public and private maternity hospitals in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews from November 2011 to March 2013. The outcome variable of this study was the GWG categorized based on the Institute of Medicine Guidelines. Explanatory environmental variables included the availability and access to food environment and places available for physical activity in the neighborhood. Explanatory individual variables included socioeconomic and demographic, obstetric and childbirth variables. Generalized estimating equations examined the association of environmental and individual factors with insufficient or excessive GWG. RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 506 mothers. There was 36.4% pregnant women showing excessive GWG and 22.7% showing GWG below the recommended interval. Regarding excessive GWG, there was a positive association with the number of mixed food purchasing establishments close to the place of residence, pre-pregnancy body mass index in the categories of overweight and obesity, arterial hypertension and the private sector as the predominant place for prenatal consultations. CONCLUSION: GWG outside of the recommended interval was associated with individual and environmental factors, and most pregnant women had insufficient or excessive gestational weight gain. Such results can complement previously published evidence, important for creating more effective strategies for the prevention of excessive and inadequate GWG and the consequent problems related to it during pregnancy.

Ações de educação alimentar e nutricional baseadas no método intuitivo de Pestalozzi / Food and nutrition education actions based on Pestalozzi's intuitive method

As intervenções de Educação Alimentar e Nutricional (EAN) tem sido cada vez mais imprescindíveis nos espaços de construções educativas para crianças e adolescentes, exigindo propostas de metodologias inovadoras, que considerem fatores psicossociais e culturais envolvidos na formação de padrões alimentares. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi realizar intervenções de EAN baseadas no Método Intuitivo proposto por Johaan Henrich Pestalozzi (1746-1827), nunca antes aplicado a essa temática. E também identificar a relação entre a cor de pele e as condições socioeconômicas dos participantes. Esse método envolve exercícios de aprendizagem da forma, número e linguagem como elementos que devem estar ligados à observação do objeto ou conteúdo. As intervenções foram conduzidas em crianças e adolescentes de diferentes condições socioeconômicas praticantes de duas modalidades esportivas distintas. O estudo foi realizado com 60 alunos sendo 40 atletas da ginástica artística (grupo A) e 20 atletas do taekwondo (grupo B). Foi conduzido em três etapas: avaliação inicial, intervenções elaboradas a partir do Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira e avaliação final. A Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar (EBIA) foi aplicada aos responsáveis dos alunos para avaliar a situação de Insegurança Alimentar (IA) da família. Das famílias participantes do grupo B, 62,5% encontravam-se em IA. Após as intervenções, houve redução significativa no consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados pelo grupo A (p=0,034), enquanto no grupo B, houve aumento no consumo de alimentos in natura (p=0,022). O Método Intuitivo foi efetivo em ambos os grupos, independentemente das condições socioeconômicas, apresentando como proposta eficiente para as ações de EAN.

Food and Nutrition Education (FNE) interventions have been increasingly essential in educational spaces for children and adolescents, requiring proposals for innovative methodologies that consider psycho-social and cultural factors involved in the formation of dietary patterns. Therefore, the objective of this study was to carry out FNE interventions based on the Intuitive Method proposed by Johaan Henrich Pestalozzi (1746-1827); which has never been applied to this theme before. Furthermore, this study aims to identify the relationship between skin color and the socioeconomic conditions of the participants. This method involves learning exercises of shapes, numbers, and language as elements that must be linked to the observation of the object or content. The interventions were carried out in children and adolescents from different socioeconomic conditions who practiced two different sports modalities. The study was carried out with 60 students, 40 athletes from artistic gymnastics (group A) and 20 athletes from taekwondo (group B) and was carried out in three stages: an initial assessment, interventions based on the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population, and a final assessment. The Brazilian Scale of Food Insecurity (BSFI) was applied to those responsible for the students to assess the situation of Food Insecurity (FI) of the family. Of the families participating in group B, 62.5% had FI. After the interventions, there was a significant reduction in the consumption of ultra-processed foods in group A (p=0.034), while in group B, there was an increase in the consumption of fresh foods (p=0.022). The Intuitive Method was effective in both groups, regardless of socioeconomic conditions, demonstrating that it is an efficient proposal for FNE actions.