Schools in SP are surrounded by ‘food swamps’ – 10/19/2023 – Equilíbrio

Seven out of ten schools in São Paulo are surrounded by cafeterias and sellers of ultra-processed food, the so-called “food swamps”, which, according to experts, increases the risk of obesity among children and adolescents.

According to a study published on the 9th of this month, in the journal Cadernos de Saúde Pública, from the National School of Public Health, from Fiocruz, schools, both private and public, are surrounded by these establishments within a radius of 250 meters.

At the national level, the data points in the same direction. The Caeb project (Food Marketing in Brazilian Schools), from UFMG (Federal University of Minas Gerais), carried out a survey with 891 private schools in eight Brazilian cities to evaluate the food offered in these spaces. Field research is still ongoing, but the Sheet obtained access to preliminary data.

The analysis showed that the healthiness index of the canteens is 26.5. The indicator is used by researchers to measure the supply of fresh or minimally processed foods in relation to ultra-processed foods. Experts estimate that the ideal score should be around 70.

Reports such as Erica (Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents) and Pense (National School Health Survey) have already listed hypertension, obesity and hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) as possible consequences of offering menus of low nutritional quality in these environments.

Concerned about this context, nutritionist Juliana Abrahão found an alternative in entrepreneurship. In 2013, she created Bem Nutrido, focused on delivering healthy food to schools.

The menu includes more than 40 different products, with its own preparations and without additives. Today, the company serves seven schools in Minas Gerais.

“There’s no point in us entering a school that doesn’t embrace the cause. This is perhaps one of the biggest challenges: the school wanting and supporting this cause.”

Juliana sells to individuals, who are the most vulnerable. This is because they are not subject to the Pnae (National School Food Program), aimed at public schools. The initiative prohibits, for example, the offering of ultra-processed foods to children up to three years old.

Coming from the FNDE (National Education Development Fund), the program’s resources must be applied according to some rules. Among them is the minimum allocation of 75% to the purchase of fresh or minimally processed foods. A maximum of 20% of resources can be allocated to ultra-processed products. The rules also encourage the purchase of family farming products.

In the private sector, offering a balanced menu depends on the willingness of the canteen manager and owner when there is no regulation.

“Students are there for much of their time and consume the meals that are served within that environment”, says researcher Camila Borges, from Nupens (Center for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Health) at USP.

A study published in 2016 in the journal Preventive Medicine analyzed the impact of Pnae. The research found lower consumption of sugar, sugary drinks, processed and ultra-processed foods among students at public schools compared to private ones.

“We saw a health-promoting scenario in public schools and a scenario of an obesogenic food environment in private schools”, says Larissa Loures, nutrition professor at UFMG and creator of Caeb.

Even so, experts point out problems, since food in some public areas is also financed by state and municipal resources. Therefore, they are not subject to the restrictions imposed by the Pnae.

The context reinforces the need for regulatory measures, according to Raphael Barreto, obesity manager at the Desiderata Institute, in Rio de Janeiro. He cites a municipal law, approved in July this year, which prohibits the sale of ultra-processed foods in public and private schools in the capital of Rio de Janeiro.

“When these changes happen at school, they don’t just benefit the child and teenager. This has repercussions on their family and spreads beyond the school walls. It’s important for a change in eating culture”, says Barreto.

Even so, he adds, “many schools suffer from readjustment, which requires investment.” Furthermore, there is the food industry lobby, which made changes to the original text, such as the exclusion of an article that required the removal of this type of food from the sight of children in supermarkets.

Nutritionist Najla Cardozo, who researches the school food environment in Araraquara, in the interior of São Paulo, reinforces the importance of education.

The city hall predominantly buys healthy foods, but the specialist sees resistance from families. “Our problem is the lack of acceptance among children. The family food environment does not include the same foods as at school. For example, many stop eating apples because they don’t know them.”

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This report was produced during Folha’s 8th Science and Health Journalism Training Program, which has the support of the Serrapilheira Institute, the Roche Laboratory and the Sociedade Beneficente Israelita Brasileira Albert Einstein