Anemia em Crianças e o Programa de Alimentação Escolar no Contexto da Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional no Brasil

Resumo

SUMMARY Considering the Food and Nutritional Insecurity as a strategic and developing problem to be faced in Brazil; this study gives priority to the understanding of these issues and two important aspects: Iron Deficiency Anemia in infants and the Food School Program. First we analyzed the main factors associated to the Food and Nutritional Security as well as measurement, the strategies for its improvement and a conducted study in Brazil based on mentioned theoretical concepts. The paper “Iron Deficiency Anemia. Is There Any Solution? is focused on discussing about how to solve it as a public health problem. Here, was also analyzed a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence and to evaluate associated factors to the iron deficiency anemia in infants at 12 months in Northeast Brazil. It was found a high percentage of anemia prevalence. It is considered as a result of social inequality and it is recommended immediate intervention. Finally, was analyzed the School Food Programs. We started with a literature review on the “Program” concept in the context of the nutrition field. The second paper about this issues, it is an evaluation of the School Food Program in Olinda, Northeast, Brazil. The results show important problems and its need of urgent responses, including aspects such as the capacity to elaborate and maintain stable the snacks, training for cooker women, development of complementary activities and the adequate food consumption. In Brazil, there are several nutritional problems based on social and regional inequalities such as malnutrition, anemia and food insecurity. It is a challenge to consider mentioned problems in a global context of food and nutrition as well as Food and Nutritional Security. Considering the Anemia in children and the School Food Program in the context of the Food and Nutritional Security in Brazil, let us think that this perspective represents a better understanding of Food and Nutritional problems, their incidences and spreading. These aspects are very important to support action plans to improve the nutrition. DESCRIPTORS Food and Nutritional Security. Anemia. School Food. Grau: Tese de Doutorado. Data de apresentação: 18 de fevereiro de 2005. Orientador: Pedro Israel Cabral de Lira. Curso: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nutrição da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco – Recife – Pernambuco – Brasil.