Thesis (M. Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2016 / The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges in implementing the Nutrition Programme at Khomela Primary School in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province. A qualitative research was conducted using case study research design method. The Non-probability sampling method was done through purposive sampling method to select Grade 6 and 7 learners and convenient sampling method for teachers and parents. Data collection was done using individual unstructured interviews. Data was analysed using qualitative data analysis method. Four groups of respondents participated in the study: learners group (n=10) giving information on the meal preference; teachers (n=8) managing and administering the Nutrition Programme at school level; parents and food handlers (food handlers n=2, parents n=5). The study focused on the following challenges: management, infrastructure, training, motivation, food safety, quality of food, delivery by suppliers and feeding time as the main challenges of the Nutrition Programme. The findings of the study concluded that there was poor involvement of teachers and parents in the Nutrition Programme. The study also concluded that the aim and principles of the Nutrition Programme were not well understood at Khomela Primary School. The participants also made suggestions on how the Nutrition Programme could be improved effectively. The study suggested that the school had to conduct awareness campaigns of learners, teachers and parents indicating the importance of the Nutrition Programme in schools. The study also concluded that the school had to be provided with modern a kitchen and a school dining hall. Despite the challenges, the Nutrition Programme had a positive impact on the school enrolment. To minimise the challenges of the Nutrition Programme, the study recommends that the principal and the School Governing Body draft a School Nutrition Policy which is in line with the Nutrition Programme guidelines. The Nutrition Policy should cover issues such as management and administration of the Nutrition Programme.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate challenges faced by high schools in rural Appalachia in implementing the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA). Methodology: We used qualitative, secondary analysis to analyze a collection of thirteen focus groups and 22 interviews conducted in 2013-14 among parents, teachers, and high school students in six counties in rural Appalachian Tennessee (n=98). Results: Five basic themes were identified during the thematic analysis: poor food quality prior to implementation of the HHFKA school nutrition reforms; students’ preference for low-nutrient energy-dense foods; low acceptance of healthier options after implementation of the HHFKA school nutrition reforms; HHFKA school nutrition reforms not tailored to unique needs of under-resourced communities; and students opting out of the National School Lunch Program after implementation of the HHFKA school nutrition reforms. Rural communities face multiple and intersecting challenges in implementing the HHFKA school nutrition reforms. Conclusion: As a result, schools in rural Appalachia may be less likely to derive benefits from these reforms. The ability of rural schools to take advantage of school nutrition reforms to improve student health may depend largely on factors unique to each community or school.

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2006 / Nutrition is a basic human right as well as a prerequisite for the realization of full intellectual and physical potential. This is also stipulated in the South African Constitution and the Bill of rights. The Limpopo Province is known as one of the most poverty and drought stricken provinces in the RSA with a very high rate of unemployment. To alleviate poverty and to improve health and school attendance, the state president enhanced the Primary School Nutrition Programme on 1 September1994 in a number of targeted primary schools according to their poverty level. This study focused on the formative phase of the evaluation of the Primary School Nutrition Programme in the Mogodumo Circuit of the Capricorn District in the Limpopo province. It is a formative phase as it is an ongoing process. Mogodumo circuit is situated ± 56 km, west of Polokwane City, with 90% of the primary schools situated in the rural area. For this study, the researcher employed the probability sampling method in two stages. A simple random sampling of five schools selected was done while the stratified sample was obtained at each of those five selected schools. Through qualitative research, the qualitative data were obtained through a questionnaire, interviews and observation. The final results from the study show that though the learners’ school attendance had improved, they (learners) were eating the food because “beggars are not choosers”. The food they were receiving was of a poor quality, not delicious and not according to the tender specifications. There were no community involvement in the education of their children, unfaithful suppliers and helper mothers (volunteers), principals were forced to sign for the quality of food that was not received, passive participation of the teachers and their involvement in the decision making of the PSNP issues, a lack of facilities such as water, electricity, kitchens and fences. The helper mothers (volunteers) were complaining about the heavy job they were doing without a living wage as they only received a thankyou token of R110-00 per month. The programme was thus functioning in contradiction to rules and policies laid down for it. / Limpopo Department of Education

The Government of National Unity's (GNU) desire to eliminate socio-economic imbalances inherited from the apartheid era resulted in the creation ofthe Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) which outlines principles and strategies for development in key areas. One such area is nutrition; in this regard President Mandela enacted the Primary School Nutrition Programme (PSNP) to provide one third of the minimum daily food intake for primary school children, where the need existed. The PSNP was launched on the 1st of September 1994 following the announcement of the start of the programme by the President in his State of the Nation Address on 24 May 1994. Prior to the establishment of the PSNP, the National Nutrition and Social Development Programme (NNSDP) was addressing malnutrition, targeting pre-school children and pregnant and nursing mothers. Initiated without a carefully planned strategy and clearly defined roles for the national and provincial offices, the NNSDP and its successor, the PSNP were, and remain, far from successful. In 1996 the Health Systems Trust (HST) and the Department of Health (DoH) held a workshop intended to build a framework for evaluating the PSNP. The evaluation of the PSNP was prompted by the fact that direct nutrition interventions in South Africa account for about 7% of the public health budget which in monetary terms is a considerable amount. It remains dubious whether this money is being spent efficiently and appropriately. Further, the evaluation of the programme is a result of severe criticism from all fronts of society as fraud has become apparent in the various government departments within the provinces. In KwaZulu Natal, extensive fraud has occurred, where cases of non-existent schools and teachers have, for example, been discovered on the list of beneficiaries of the PSNP. The aim of this study is to form a component of the HST and DoH evaluation of the PSNP through investigating how the allocation of funding has been conducted in KwaZulu Natal, and, if this is found to be inappropriate, to provide recommendations for improved allocation . of funds. To find out more about allocation procedures in KwaZulu Natal, key informants from the Department of Health were interviewed and their responses were analysed to expose problems with the targeting and allocation of funding at the various levels of government. Further, data obtained from the KwaZulu Natal Department of Health in Durban were analysed using a sample taken from the final financial quarter ofthe year 1995/96. These data showed the amount of PSNP funds advanced to ,each school compared with the amount of funding which was accounted for, as per the procedures for the implementation of the programme. Judging from the results obtained, the use of allocated funds for the PSNP in KwaZulu Natal has not been successful in 80% of cases in the ten Magisterial Districts assessed. In educational terms, there may be a role for a programme such as the PSNP - providing pupils with enough food to enable them to be more alert and active in the school environment whereas in nutritional terms, this appears to be less the case. Improving nutrition status is much more feasible when programmes are targeted at the very young and pre-school children. Lack of targeting in KwaZulu Natal has contributed to limited success of the PSNP as a nutrition tool. In the light of the evaluation undertaken in this study, it is proposed that targeting younger, pre-school children is an attractive alternative for future nutrition-based interventions and more development-based approaches, rather than the "food hand-outs" which appear to characterise the PSNP. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1997.

With the passage of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, all schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program are required to establish local wellness policies to address childhood obesity. In the state of Kentucky, Senate Bill 172 requires all elementary schools to adopt a local wellness policy addressing competitive foods, healthy choices, and daily physical activity. This study measured federal and state compliance among schools that responded to the 2008 Kentucky School Nutrition Survey. This study analyzed differences in the school nutrition environment among policies based on data from the 2002 and 2008 Kentucky School Nutrition surveys. The majority of school wellness policies were compliant with both federal and state guidelines. Significant differences in the school environment include a reduction in the availability of vending machines, decreased percentage of teachers using food as a reward, and increased use by teachers of non food items as a reward. Significant differences were not found among foods offered in vending machines, snack bars, and classroom parties. In 2008, elementary schools provided an average of 174 minutes of physical activity weekly, which is above the recommended guideline of 150 minutes per week.

A obesidade na infância está relacionada à obesidade e outras doenças crônicas na adolescência e na vida adulta. O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi estudar a prevalência e os fatores associados ao sobrepeso em pré-escolares matriculados em escolas públicas dos estados do Rio Grande do Sul e de Santa Catarina. Realizou-se estudo transversal com pré-escolares, com idade entre 4 e 6 anos, matriculados em escolas públicas atendidas pelo PNAE nos estados do RS e SC. O desfecho estudado foi o sobrepeso, definido através do escore Z > 2DP para o Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC)/idade, em comparação com a população de referência da OMS 2006/2007. As medidas antropométricas de massa corporal e altura foram aferidas em duplicata, utilizando-se técnicas padronizadas conforme OMS (WHO, 1995). As variáveis de sexo, idade, massa corporal e altura da criança foram aferidas na escola. A cor da pele foi obtida pela observação e classificada como branca, parda e negra. O peso ao nascimento, a escolaridade materna e o tempo de aleitamento materno total foram obtidos por informação materna. Dados foram duplamente digitados utilizando o software EPI-INFO versão 6.04. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas através do programa STATA versão 12.0. Realizaram-se análises descritivas dos dados, com cálculo de frequências absolutas e relativas. A associação entre as variáveis foi avaliada pelo teste qui-quadrado de Pearson. Nas variáveis dicotômicas, a correção de Yates foi utilizada. As variáveis que apresentaram um valor de p W 0,25 na análise bivariada foram incluídas no modelo multivariado de Regressão de Poisson. A medida de efeito utilizada foi a Razão de Prevalências com o intervalo de 95% de confiança para estimar a magnitude do efeito. Avaliaram-se 4.936 crianças (no estado do RS 2.599 e em SC 2.337) em 14 municípios (8 no RS e 6 em SC). As prevalências de sobrepeso foram de 14,4% e 7,5%, respectivamente nos estados do RS e SC. As variáveis que apresentam associação com a prevalência de sobrepeso nos pré-escolares são: o número de moradores no domicílio, a escolaridade materna, a situação conjugal, o número de filhos, a idade materna ao nascimento do primeiro filho e o peso ao nascer. / Childhood obesity is related to overweight and other chronic diseases in adolescence and in adulthood. The general objective of this work was to study the prevalence and factors associated with obesity in preschool children enrolled in public schools of the States of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) and Santa Catarina (SC). A cross-sectional study was conducted with preschoolers, aged between 4 and 6 years old, enrolled in public schools serviced by PNAE (National Program of School Nutrition) in the States of RS and SC. The outcome was overweight, defined by the Z > 2SD score for the body mass index (BMI)/age, in comparison with the reference population of the WHO 2006/2007. Anthropometric measures of body mass and height were measured in duplicate, using standardized techniques according to the WHO (WHO, 1995). The variables of gender, age, body mass and height of the child were measured at school. Skin color was obtained by observation and classified as white, brown and black. The birth weight, mother’s schooling and total breastfeeding time were obtained by information given by the mother. Data were doubly typed using EPI-INFO version 6.04. The statistical analyses were performed through the STATA version 12.0. Descriptive analyses of the data, with calculation of absolute and relative frequencies were performed. The association between the variables was evaluated by the Chi-square Pearson Test. In dichotomous variables, Yates correction was used. The variables which presented a value of p W 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were included in the multivariate Poisson regression model. The measure of effect used was the Reason of Prevalence with a range of 95% of confidence to estimate the magnitude of the effect. Four thousand and nine hundred thirty six children (2,599 in RS and 2,337 in SC) in 14 municipalities (8 in RS and 6 in SC) were assessed. The prevalence of obesity was 14.4% and 7.5%, respectively, in the States of RS and SC. The variables which have association with the prevalence of obesity in preschoolers are: the number of residents at home, mother’s schooling, marital status, number of children, mother’s age at the birth of the first child, as well as, birth weight.

A obesidade na infância está relacionada à obesidade e outras doenças crônicas na adolescência e na vida adulta. O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi estudar a prevalência e os fatores associados ao sobrepeso em pré-escolares matriculados em escolas públicas dos estados do Rio Grande do Sul e de Santa Catarina. Realizou-se estudo transversal com pré-escolares, com idade entre 4 e 6 anos, matriculados em escolas públicas atendidas pelo PNAE nos estados do RS e SC. O desfecho estudado foi o sobrepeso, definido através do escore Z > 2DP para o Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC)/idade, em comparação com a população de referência da OMS 2006/2007. As medidas antropométricas de massa corporal e altura foram aferidas em duplicata, utilizando-se técnicas padronizadas conforme OMS (WHO, 1995). As variáveis de sexo, idade, massa corporal e altura da criança foram aferidas na escola. A cor da pele foi obtida pela observação e classificada como branca, parda e negra. O peso ao nascimento, a escolaridade materna e o tempo de aleitamento materno total foram obtidos por informação materna. Dados foram duplamente digitados utilizando o software EPI-INFO versão 6.04. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas através do programa STATA versão 12.0. Realizaram-se análises descritivas dos dados, com cálculo de frequências absolutas e relativas. A associação entre as variáveis foi avaliada pelo teste qui-quadrado de Pearson. Nas variáveis dicotômicas, a correção de Yates foi utilizada. As variáveis que apresentaram um valor de p W 0,25 na análise bivariada foram incluídas no modelo multivariado de Regressão de Poisson. A medida de efeito utilizada foi a Razão de Prevalências com o intervalo de 95% de confiança para estimar a magnitude do efeito. Avaliaram-se 4.936 crianças (no estado do RS 2.599 e em SC 2.337) em 14 municípios (8 no RS e 6 em SC). As prevalências de sobrepeso foram de 14,4% e 7,5%, respectivamente nos estados do RS e SC. As variáveis que apresentam associação com a prevalência de sobrepeso nos pré-escolares são: o número de moradores no domicílio, a escolaridade materna, a situação conjugal, o número de filhos, a idade materna ao nascimento do primeiro filho e o peso ao nascer. / Childhood obesity is related to overweight and other chronic diseases in adolescence and in adulthood. The general objective of this work was to study the prevalence and factors associated with obesity in preschool children enrolled in public schools of the States of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) and Santa Catarina (SC). A cross-sectional study was conducted with preschoolers, aged between 4 and 6 years old, enrolled in public schools serviced by PNAE (National Program of School Nutrition) in the States of RS and SC. The outcome was overweight, defined by the Z > 2SD score for the body mass index (BMI)/age, in comparison with the reference population of the WHO 2006/2007. Anthropometric measures of body mass and height were measured in duplicate, using standardized techniques according to the WHO (WHO, 1995). The variables of gender, age, body mass and height of the child were measured at school. Skin color was obtained by observation and classified as white, brown and black. The birth weight, mother’s schooling and total breastfeeding time were obtained by information given by the mother. Data were doubly typed using EPI-INFO version 6.04. The statistical analyses were performed through the STATA version 12.0. Descriptive analyses of the data, with calculation of absolute and relative frequencies were performed. The association between the variables was evaluated by the Chi-square Pearson Test. In dichotomous variables, Yates correction was used. The variables which presented a value of p W 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were included in the multivariate Poisson regression model. The measure of effect used was the Reason of Prevalence with a range of 95% of confidence to estimate the magnitude of the effect. Four thousand and nine hundred thirty six children (2,599 in RS and 2,337 in SC) in 14 municipalities (8 in RS and 6 in SC) were assessed. The prevalence of obesity was 14.4% and 7.5%, respectively, in the States of RS and SC. The variables which have association with the prevalence of obesity in preschoolers are: the number of residents at home, mother’s schooling, marital status, number of children, mother’s age at the birth of the first child, as well as, birth weight.

A obesidade na infância está relacionada à obesidade e outras doenças crônicas na adolescência e na vida adulta. O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi estudar a prevalência e os fatores associados ao sobrepeso em pré-escolares matriculados em escolas públicas dos estados do Rio Grande do Sul e de Santa Catarina. Realizou-se estudo transversal com pré-escolares, com idade entre 4 e 6 anos, matriculados em escolas públicas atendidas pelo PNAE nos estados do RS e SC. O desfecho estudado foi o sobrepeso, definido através do escore Z > 2DP para o Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC)/idade, em comparação com a população de referência da OMS 2006/2007. As medidas antropométricas de massa corporal e altura foram aferidas em duplicata, utilizando-se técnicas padronizadas conforme OMS (WHO, 1995). As variáveis de sexo, idade, massa corporal e altura da criança foram aferidas na escola. A cor da pele foi obtida pela observação e classificada como branca, parda e negra. O peso ao nascimento, a escolaridade materna e o tempo de aleitamento materno total foram obtidos por informação materna. Dados foram duplamente digitados utilizando o software EPI-INFO versão 6.04. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas através do programa STATA versão 12.0. Realizaram-se análises descritivas dos dados, com cálculo de frequências absolutas e relativas. A associação entre as variáveis foi avaliada pelo teste qui-quadrado de Pearson. Nas variáveis dicotômicas, a correção de Yates foi utilizada. As variáveis que apresentaram um valor de p W 0,25 na análise bivariada foram incluídas no modelo multivariado de Regressão de Poisson. A medida de efeito utilizada foi a Razão de Prevalências com o intervalo de 95% de confiança para estimar a magnitude do efeito. Avaliaram-se 4.936 crianças (no estado do RS 2.599 e em SC 2.337) em 14 municípios (8 no RS e 6 em SC). As prevalências de sobrepeso foram de 14,4% e 7,5%, respectivamente nos estados do RS e SC. As variáveis que apresentam associação com a prevalência de sobrepeso nos pré-escolares são: o número de moradores no domicílio, a escolaridade materna, a situação conjugal, o número de filhos, a idade materna ao nascimento do primeiro filho e o peso ao nascer. / Childhood obesity is related to overweight and other chronic diseases in adolescence and in adulthood. The general objective of this work was to study the prevalence and factors associated with obesity in preschool children enrolled in public schools of the States of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) and Santa Catarina (SC). A cross-sectional study was conducted with preschoolers, aged between 4 and 6 years old, enrolled in public schools serviced by PNAE (National Program of School Nutrition) in the States of RS and SC. The outcome was overweight, defined by the Z > 2SD score for the body mass index (BMI)/age, in comparison with the reference population of the WHO 2006/2007. Anthropometric measures of body mass and height were measured in duplicate, using standardized techniques according to the WHO (WHO, 1995). The variables of gender, age, body mass and height of the child were measured at school. Skin color was obtained by observation and classified as white, brown and black. The birth weight, mother’s schooling and total breastfeeding time were obtained by information given by the mother. Data were doubly typed using EPI-INFO version 6.04. The statistical analyses were performed through the STATA version 12.0. Descriptive analyses of the data, with calculation of absolute and relative frequencies were performed. The association between the variables was evaluated by the Chi-square Pearson Test. In dichotomous variables, Yates correction was used. The variables which presented a value of p W 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were included in the multivariate Poisson regression model. The measure of effect used was the Reason of Prevalence with a range of 95% of confidence to estimate the magnitude of the effect. Four thousand and nine hundred thirty six children (2,599 in RS and 2,337 in SC) in 14 municipalities (8 in RS and 6 in SC) were assessed. The prevalence of obesity was 14.4% and 7.5%, respectively, in the States of RS and SC. The variables which have association with the prevalence of obesity in preschoolers are: the number of residents at home, mother’s schooling, marital status, number of children, mother’s age at the birth of the first child, as well as, birth weight.

<p>Obesity is a major public health issue across all age groups. The obesity-related health outcomes of children and adolescents are unique and varied, and therefore need to be studied separately. In response, obesogenic environments have been the focus of attention in recent research. Important contributions have been made to focus on social (e.g., economic) and physical (e.g., geographical) environments based on their role in either hindering or facilitating opportunities for healthy eating. However, research on the policy environment is noticeably absent. Schools have been the setting for focused interventions, particularly in the area of obesity and nutrition. However, there is a paucity of research in this area in Ontario, and virtually no Canadian research has examined the secondary school setting. Therefore, this research focuses on local level factors shaping school nutrition policy implementation in Ontario, Canada.</p> <p>The Analysis Grid for Environments Linked to Obesity (ANGELO) Framework was adopted to organize and conceptualize the local level policy environment. In the first phase of the study, a documentary analysis was undertaken to investigate the relationship between regional and upper level policies and technical reports. Results reveal distinct differences across federal, provincial and regional levels, including: 1) the availability of nutritious food in schools and having nutrition education as part of the curriculum were key components of the physical environment across federal and provincial levels; 2) federal and provincial priorities are guided by a health promotion framework, and a partnership approach to policy implementation; and, 3) gaps in regional level policy include incorporating nutrition education in the curriculum, and making the link between nutrition and obesity.</p> <p>The second phase of study includes qualitative key informant interviews with community-and school-level school nutrition policy and program stakeholders (n=22) in nine schools three Ontario school boards, in order to understand local level factors shaping school nutrition policy implementation. The cost of healthy food for sale, revenue loss (economic), proximity of schools to off site food outlets (physical), the restrictive nature of policy, and the role of key stakeholders (political), the role of stigma and school culture (sociocultural), act as local level barriers to policy implementation. Findings suggest the need for consultation and communication between stakeholders, and strategies to reduce stigma and improve the school nutrition culture.</p> <p>In the third and final phase of study three focus group interviews were conducted with secondary students (n=20) in two Ontario school boards in fall 2012. School boards were selected to represent both high-and low-income neighbourhoods. Results reveal high priced policy-compliant food for sale, lower revenue generation capacity, and more students purchasing food off-campus at nearby outlets. Limited designated eating spaces, and time constraints act as local level barriers to healthy eating. Student input on cafeteria menus and school community gardens, can facilitate healthy school nutrition environments. Community partnerships with key external stakeholders are needed to leverage financial and human resources to support school nutrition. Future policies need to consider the social context and conditions surrounding school nutrition. This research makes a number of theoretical, methodological and substantive contributions to the public health, adolescent health, and school health policy literature. Policy implications and future research directions are provided.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-10T10:56:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ORCANTINA IONE TELES FERREIRA.pdf: 459295 bytes, checksum: e6735221fc24c1be1e6290d7ef1247ea (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-08-12 / The practical application of the National School Alimentation Program (PNAE) orientations as well as the schools Pedagogical Political Project (PPP) can both interfere in the nutritional and environmental education. This study analyzed if nutritional and environmental education is developed in the basic public schools in Goiânia, and if there are concrete didactic actions related to the school meals, looking specially at the differences between the downtown schools and those from the outskirts, with meals half-day and whole-day. This study uses a quantitative study, and the data was collected at 22 basic state schools in Goiânia. The schools were divided in three groups: eighteen outskirts schools with half-day meals (EPP), three downtown schools with half-day meals (ECP) and one downtown school with whole-day meals (ECI). To acquire the data this study used two questionnaires based on the Questionnaire D School Meals Acceptance . The questionnaires were answered by 1346 students and 275 teachers. Descriptive statistical analysis were made in order to test if there were a significant difference, as well as the chisquare test, which the significance level was 0,05. This study concluded that, in average, 74% ECP, 100% ECI e 82% EPP of the teachers declared to use the PNAE at the schools PPP. The use of nutritional education was verified in the 51% ECP, 31% ECI e 77% EPP of the answers that confirmed that practice, and most also said to use interdisciplinary activities. Most teachers consider themselves qualified to explain about the importance of nutritional education (69% ECP, 77% ECI e 81% EPP). The practice of schools kitchens staff is close to the recommended by the PNAE, 83% ECP, 92% ECI e 100% EPP cook the meals at the schools kitchen or at a central one. The average of 65% ECP, 69% ECI e 74% EPP of the teachers says that the staff is adequately equipped to guarantee the foods hygiene. Looking at the students opinions about the schools meals, we can say that 54% ECP, 51% ECI e 54% EPP of the students don t like some of the food offered. Within the reasons why the students don t eat the meals are the fact that some think of it as repetitive, that the time for eating is short, that the dining hall tables are inadequate and that the area isn t clean. The school is supposed to be the ideal place for nutritional health promotion, however, this analysis shows that promoting nutritional education requires a great evolvement from the students, teachers qualification, interference from the CAE (Council of School Feeding), presence of a nutrition professional and quality improvement of the meals served at the schools, guaranteeing the fulfillment of the nutritional parameters and promoting nutritional education. / A aplicação prática das orientações do Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE) juntamente com o Projeto Político Pedagógico (PPP) das escolas configura um cenário adjacente, podendo interferir na educação alimentar/nutricional e ambiental. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar se a educação alimentar, nutricional e ambiental é desenvolvida na rede pública de ensino fundamental de Goiânia e se há ações didáticas concretas relacionadas à merenda escolar avaliando as diferenças entre escolas do centro e da periferia com merenda parcial e integral. Optou-se por um estudo quantitativo e os dados foram coletados em 22 escolas estaduais de ensino fundamental de Goiânia. As escolas foram divididas em três grupos: dezoito escolas de periferia com merenda parcial (EPP), três escolas centrais com merenda parcial (ECP) e uma escola central com merenda integral (ECI). Para coleta de dados foram elaborados dois questionários com base no Questionário D - Aceitação da Alimentação Escolar . Os questionários foram respondidos por 1346 alunos e 275 professores. Foram realizadas análises estatísticas descritivas das variáveis categóricas e a fim de testar se houve diferença significativa, foi utilizado o teste do qui-quadrado, cujo nível de significância adotado foi 0,05. Pôde-se concluir que 74% ECP, 100% ECI e 82% EPP% dos professores afirmam constar o PNAE no PPP das escolas. A prática de ensino da educação alimentar/nutricional e ambiental foi verificada em 51% ECP, 31% ECI e 77% EPP das respostas que confirmam existir atividade pedagógica e, grande parte afirma que também há atividades interdisciplinares. A maioria dos professores se considera qualificada para explicar sobre a importância da educação alimentar (69% ECP, 77% ECI e 81% EPP). Concernente ao funcionamento dos refeitórios as escolas estão próximas ao recomendado pelo PNAE, pois 83% ECP, 92% ECI e 100% EPP preparam a alimentação escolar na cozinha da escola ou em cozinha central. Quanto ao preparo da merenda escolar a maioria (65% ECP, 69% ECI e 74% EPP) dos professores relata que os funcionários são devidamente equipados para garantir a higiene alimentar. Ao analisar a opinião dos alunos diante às práticas relacionadas à merenda escolar conclui-se que 54% ECP, 51% ECI e 54% EPP dos alunos não gostam de algumas alimentações oferecidas. Dentre os motivos pelos quais não comem a merenda destaca-se o fato de a acharem repetitiva, de o tempo disponível para comer ser curto e em relação à estrutura física afirmam que não há mesas próprias para realizar as refeições e que o local não é limpo. A escola, por princípio, é o ambiente ideal para a promoção da saúde alimentar/nutricional e ambiental, contudo, a análise atual mostra que promover educação alimentar e nutricional exige envolvimento dos alunos, qualificação do professor, atuação do CAE (Conselho de Alimentação Escolar), presença de nutricionista e melhoria da qualidade da refeição servida na escola, garantindo atendimento aos parâmetros nutricionais e promovendo educação alimentar.