Abstract

CLARO, Mónica; MOURA, Sónia  and  BOTELHO, Goreti. Perspectives of Teachers Coordinators Regarding to the Development of School Fruit Scheme in Schools in the 1st Cycle of Basic Education of the Municipality of Leiria. Nutrícias [online]. 2013, n.16, pp.10-13. ISSN 2182-7230.

Introduction: The school environment is privileged for the development of activities in food education in order to promote healthy habits in children. This is therefore a strategic sector where to develop initiatives for healthy eating. The School Fruit Scheme supports the distribution of fruits and vegetables, pursued by the introduction or reinforcement of healthy eating routines within the school population. Objectives: The present study was focused on the evaluation of perceptions of teachers coordinators regarding the application of the SFS and to assess the impact of the same on the eating habits of students of the 1st Cycle of Basic Education in school environment. Methodology: A self-administered questionnaire was filled out by coordinator teachers of the 90 schools of the 1st cycle of basic education in Municipality of Leiria, who followed the children during the time the time of their fruit/vegetables intake. The study is referred to the 2009/10 to 2011/12 academic years. Results: For the 90 coordinator teachers participating in the study, their students are satisfied with the variety and quality of fruit/vegetables provided. Furthermore, the perception of 88.76 % of coordinator professors is that the School Fruit Scheme increased the consumption of fruit/vegetables within schoolchildren, and 92.22 % consider that the School Fruit Scheme must continue. Conclusions: It was yielded positive results regarding the performance of the program in schools of the 1st Cycle of Basic Education in the Municipality of Leiria, therefore the coordinator teachers perceived an increase in fruit/vegetables consumption by the schoolchildren involved.

Keywords : Food education; Healthy eating habits; School fruit scheme.

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