Study of factors associated with the quality of school meals in the southeastern region of Brazil

• Grant number: 21/13628-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2022
• End date: November 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Public Health
• Principal Investigator: Semíramis Martins Álvares Domene
• Grantee: Júlia Carpenter de Medeiros Mathídios dos Santos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Saúde e Sociedade (ISS). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

One of the effective ways to contribute to Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) is through the National School Meals Program - PNAE. PNAE is considered the largest food program in Latin America and aims to ensure that part of the nutritional recommendations of all students enrolled in public basic education networks are met. The analysis of sociodemographic factors contributes to a better understanding of the determinants of the quality of school menus. The objective of this project is to study factors associated with the quality of school meals in the Southeast region of Brazil. This is a quantitative transversal exploratory study that will be carried out from two dimensions of analysis: 1) Socio-demographic data of the municipality and 2) Menu characteristics. To analyze the menus, we will use the Indicator of Quality for School Meals Menus - IQCAE. The sociodemographic variables are extracted from official databases; for the dietary variables that allowed the menu analysis, information is being collected from the municipalities. The study has so far 42 menus evaluated, out of the 108 that should make up the sample. Of these, 33 were of high quality, 9 were of intermediate quality, and none were considered of poor quality. The data collection for the menu bank is still going on, although it has been strongly hampered by the remote work of the nutritionists in the municipalities. Univariate linear regression analysis among the variables considered determinants of the quality of school meals can contribute to better investigation of the quality of meals served at schools served by PNAE, which enables effective monitoring of the quality of menus to subsidize the improvement of the program.(AU)