Nayara Cristina Milane

Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Brazil

Abstract Title: Brazil as a Reference in Food and Nutrition Education: Programs That Can Inspire the World

Biography: Nayara Cristina Milane is a nutritionist with a specialization in Public Health and holds both a master’s and a PhD in Science and Technology Education. She obtained her PhD from the Federal University of Technology – Paraná. She is a professor in the Department of Public Health at the State University of Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil. Her academic and research activities focus on food and nutrition education, public health nutrition, health promotion, and teaching methodologies in science and health. She also conducts research on eating behavior in individuals with autism, with an emphasis on improving quality of life and strengthening food and nutrition security

Research Interest: Food and nutrition education is widely recognized as a key strategy for promoting healthy dietary practices, preventing chronic noncommunicable diseases, and strengthening food and nutrition security. Brazil has gained international recognition for implementing comprehensive public policies that integrate health, education, agriculture, and social protection to improve dietary patterns and access to healthy foods. This study aims to analyze Brazilian food and nutrition education initiatives and highlight programs that may serve as global policy references. A narrative review of current literature and official policy documents was conducted to examine the structure, implementation, and outcomes of major national initiatives, including the Brazilian National School Feeding Program and the Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population. Evidence from recent studies indicates that the Brazilian National School Feeding Program provides meals that supply at least 15% of students’ daily nutritional requirements during the school period and reaches millions of students in public schools nationwide. Research also shows that students who regularly consume school meals present 11% lower prevalence of overweight and 24% lower prevalence of obesity, as well as lower body mass index compared with those who do not regularly participate. Approximately 78.5% of students report regular consumption of school meals, demonstrating the program’s broad coverage and importance, particularly among socially vulnerable populations. In addition to nutritional benefits, national legislation requires that at least 30% of school feeding resources be used to procure food directly from family farmers, strengthening local food systems and promoting access to fresh and minimally processed foods. These findings highlight the potential of integrated food and nutrition education policies to simultaneously address public health, food security, and sustainable development. Brazil’s experience demonstrates that comprehensive and multisectoral food and nutrition education programs can significantly improve dietary quality and population health, providing valuable lessons for countries seeking to develop equitable and sustainable food systems