Educação nutricional de pré-escolares: consumo de alimentos ricos em ferro e vitamina C

Abstract

Objective To conduct nutrition education intervention for preschool children, encouraging the consumption of foods capable of increasing iron level in the body, as well as food sources of vitamin C, since it is an absorption facilitator of that mineral. Methods The intervention was conducted with 42 children aged four to six years old, studying in the morning shift of a Municipal School of Early Childhood Education in the city of Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Socioeconomic, anthropometric and child health data were collected. Playing methods were used as the nutrition education strategy in order to encourage consumption of meals rich in iron and vitamin C. Children’s learning about the topic and acceptance of the offered meals were assessed. Lectures on nutrition and health information were given to parents and/or guardians, teachers and cooks to consolidate the nutrition practices in the children’s family environment. Results The anthropometric profile shows a high prevalence for risk of overweight (27.3%) in children under five years old and for overweight (31.6%) in those aged five years or more. Increases were noticed in children's knowledge on food items that help preventing anemia and in the consumption of food preparations rich in iron and vitamin C inserted in school meals. Conclusion The nutrition education strategy of playfulness rendered positive results among the preschoolers concerning the adherence to the consumption of foods source of iron and rich in vitamin C to prevent anemia, therefore it can be used as a model for encouraging the consumption of other foods and combat other nutritional deficiencies.