Contrapontos e inconsistências do discurso da produtividade do agronegócio e suas externalidades sob a ótica do biopoder / Counterpoints and inconsistencies in the discourse of agribusiness productivity and its externalities from the perspective of biopower

RESUMO Este ensaio se propõe à análise crítica do agronegócio, buscando construir um modelo teórico compreensivo, tendo como referência o conceito de biopoder de Foucault. Pretende ainda contribuir para as discussões de alternativas sustentáveis e de combate às ações que promovem e flexibilizam o uso de agrotóxicos. Argumenta-se que o agronegócio, apesar de ter tido sua imagem construída por discursos que ressaltam sua eficiência e produtividade, impõe barreiras que impedem a garantia da segurança alimentar e nutricional. Pelo uso intensivo de agrotóxicos, também não disponibiliza alimentos seguros e de qualidade, ao mesmo tempo que impacta o meio ambiente e compromete a saúde da população, somado aos seus impactos políticos, econômicos, sociais e culturais. A análise sob a ótica do biopoder destaca que a atuação das indústrias agrícola, agroquímica e de alimentos, enquanto normatizadoras e geradoras de consumo, desconsideram princípios morais e éticos, infringem direitos humanos e a autonomia dos sujeitos. Paralelamente, propõe-se que, por meio da educação popular e a educação alimentar e nutricional, consegue-se, em longo prazo, construir sujeitos e coletividades autônomos e críticos, capazes de transformar as estruturas de poder vigentes e de agir em prol de políticas públicas que fomentem práticas justas, saudáveis, sustentáveis e éticas.

ABSTRACT This essay proposes a critical analysis of agribusiness, seeking to build a comprehensive theoretical model based on Foucault's concept of biopower. It also proposes to contribute to the discussions of sustainable alternatives and to combat actions that promote and make the use of pesticides more flexible. It is argued that agribusiness, despite having its image built by speeches that emphasize its efficiency and productivity, imposes barriers that prevent the guarantee of food and nutritional security. Due to the intensive use of pesticides, it also does not provide safe and quality food, while it impacts the environment and compromises the health of the population, added to its political, economic, social, and cultural impacts. The analysis from the perspective of biopower highlights the performance of the agrochemical and food industries, as standards and generators of consumption, disregards moral and ethical principles, infringes human rights and the autonomy of the subjects. At the same time, it is proposed that, through long term popular education and food and nutrition education, it is possible to build autonomous and critical subjects and collectives, capable of transforming the existing power structures and acting in favor of public policies that promote practices that are fair, healthy, sustainable, and ethical.

Effect of different commercial fat sources on brain, liver and blood lipid profiles of rats in growth phase

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the fatty acid content of different fat sources and evaluate the effect of them on plasma and hepatic lipids and on the fatty acid profile of the brain tissue of Wistar rats. Methods: Thirty male albino Wistar rats received for 59 days, the following diets: diet added of margarine with low content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA); diet added of margarine with high content of PUFA; diet added of butter; diet added of hydrogenated vegetable fat; diet added of soybean oil. Fatty acid profile of the lipid sources, blood and hepatic lipids fractions and fatty acid profile of the brain tissue were determined. Results: Margarine consumption of provided different responses as to concentrations of blood and hepatic lipid fractions. Intake of butter and hydrogenated increased LDL-c/HDL-c ratio, being the steepest increase promoted by hydrogenated vegetable fat, which also raised LDL-c levels expressively. All fats used in the treatments reduced the cerebral concentration of docosahexaenoic acid when compared to soybean oil (control). Conclusion: The different fat sources commonly consumed by population provided different responses in vivo. This is particularly relevant considering the role of these lipids in the incidence and prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Influência de intervenções educativas no conhecimento sobre alimentação e nutrição de adolescentes de uma escola pública / Influence of educational interventions on knowledge about food and nutrition of adolescents in a public school

Resumo Os hábitos alimentares de adolescentes têm sido marcados pelo alto consumo de alimentos ricos em gorduras, sódio e açúcares simples que, somados ao sedentarismo, estão diretamente relacionados com a incidência de obesidade entre outras doenças crônicas não transmissíveis tanto nesta faixa etária como na vida adulta. Este cenário reforça a urgência de se adotar programas de educação alimentar e nutricional (EAN). Sabendo-se disso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar o hábito alimentar e sequencialmente avaliar o grau de conhecimento sobre alimentação e nutrição de adolescentes, intervir com EAN, aplicando dois recursos pedagógicos distintos (palestra e jogo do tipo quiz) e comparar a eficácia de ambos no processo educativo. Participaram do estudo 59 adolescentes entre 13 e 16 anos, matriculados em duas turmas da oitava série de uma escola municipal do município de Lavras - Minas Gerais. Os resultados indicaram prevalência de padrão alimentar inadequado evidenciando o consumo elevado de alimentos ricos em gorduras e açúcares simples. Tanto a aplicação do jogo como a palestra se mostraram eficientes para aumentar o grau de conhecimento dos adolescentes e, quando comparados, os métodos não mostraram diferença significativa entre si.

Abstract Eating habits of adolescents have been marked by high consumption of foods rich in fat, sodium and simple sugars which, together with a sedentary lifestyle, are directly related to the incidence of obesity and other chronic non-communicable diseases both among adolescents and in adulthood. This scenario highlights the urgent need to adopt food and nutrition education (FNE) programs. Thus, the scope of this study was to identify the eating habits and subsequently evaluate the degree of knowledge about food and nutrition of adolescents, intervene with EAN actions, applying two separate educational resources (lecture and quiz-type game) and compare the effectiveness of both in the educational process. The study included 59 adolescents between 13 and 16 years of age, enrolled in two classes of the eighth grade of a public school in the city of Lavras in the State of Minas Gerais. Results revealed the prevalence of inadequate dietary patterns marked by the high consumption of foods rich in simple sugars and fats. Both the application of the game and the lecture were effective in increasing the level of knowledge among adolescents and, when compared, there was no significant difference methods between them.

Effect of different commercial fat sources on brain, liver and blood lipid profiles of rats in growth phase.

PURPOSE: To investigate the fatty acid content of different fat sources and evaluate the effect of them on plasma and hepatic lipids and on the fatty acid profile of the brain tissue of Wistar rats. METHODS: Thirty male albino Wistar rats received for 59 days, the following diets: diet added of margarine with low content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA); diet added of margarine with high content of PUFA; diet added of butter; diet added of hydrogenated vegetable fat; diet added of soybean oil. Fatty acid profile of the lipid sources, blood and hepatic lipids fractions and fatty acid profile of the brain tissue were determined. RESULTS: Margarine consumption of provided different responses as to concentrations of blood and hepatic lipid fractions. Intake of butter and hydrogenated increased LDL-c/HDL-c ratio, being the steepest increase promoted by hydrogenated vegetable fat, which also raised LDL-c levels expressively. All fats used in the treatments reduced the cerebral concentration of docosahexaenoic acid when compared to soybean oil (control). CONCLUSION: The different fat sources commonly consumed by population provided different responses in vivo. This is particularly relevant considering the role of these lipids in the incidence and prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Effects of the kefir and banana pulp and skin flours on hypercholesterolemic rats.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of kefir and banana pulp and skin flours on the serum levels of total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c and triacylglycerols in rats fed cholesterol-rich diet. METHODS: Thirty Male Wistar rats were used. In the first 21 days, the animals were fed purified hypercholesterolemic diets, except the standard group. In the next 21 days, the animals were given modified diets: Group GC: standard diet AIN-93G; Group HIP: hypercholesterolemic diet; Group F: hypercholesterolemic diet added of 1% of banana skin flour and 7% of banana pulp flour; Group Q: hypercholesterolemic diet plus kefir suspension by oral infusion (1.5 ml/animal); Group FQ: hypercholesterolemic diet added of 1% banana skin flour and 7% of banana pulp flour plus kefir suspension (1.5 ml/animal). RESULTS: In spite of the high fiber content, the addition of banana pulp (7%) and skin (1%) flour did not alter the plasma levels of total cholesterol, HDL-c and LDL-c. However, they reduced the TG levels in 22%. Already fermented kefir reduced significantly the levels of VLDL, LDL-c and triacylglycerols, in addition to having increased HDL-c. However, it was not possible to verify the symbiotic effect between both. CONCLUSION: The results reinforce the beneficial effects of kefir in reducing the risks of cardiovascular diseases.

Effects of the kefir and banana pulp and skin flours on hypercholesterolemic rats

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of kefir and banana pulp and skin flours on the serum levels of total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c and triacylglycerols in rats fed cholesterol-rich diet. METHODS: Thirty Male Wistar rats were used. In the first 21 days, the animals were fed purified hypercholesterolemic diets, except the standard group. In the next 21 days, the animals were given modified diets: Group GC: standard diet AIN-93G; Group HIP: hypercholesterolemic diet; Group F: hypercholesterolemic diet added of 1% of banana skin flour and 7% of banana pulp flour; Group Q: hypercholesterolemic diet plus kefir suspension by oral infusion (1.5 ml/animal); Group FQ: hypercholesterolemic diet added of 1% banana skin flour and 7% of banana pulp flour plus kefir suspension (1.5 ml/animal). RESULTS: In spite of the high fiber content, the addition of banana pulp (7%) and skin (1%) flour did not alter the plasma levels of total cholesterol, HDL-c and LDL-c. However, they reduced the TG levels in 22%. Already fermented kefir reduced significantly the levels of VLDL, LDL-c and triacylglycerols, in addition to having increased HDL-c. However, it was not possible to verify the symbiotic effect between both. CONCLUSION: The results reinforce the beneficial effects of kefir in reducing the risks of cardiovascular diseases.