A experiência da Oficina Permanente de Educação Alimentar e em Saúde (OPEAS): formação de profissionais para a promoção da alimentação saudável nas escolas The experience of the Permanent Workshop on Health and Nutrition Education - OPEAS: training of professionals for the promotion of healthy nutrition in schools

This article analyzes the experience of the Permanent Workshop on Nutrition and Health Education, which provides ongoing edu- cation on health and nutrition for school nutri- tionists and educators. In 2009, nutritionists, principals/management assistants, pedagogical coordinators, teachers and nutrition undergrad- uates attended 10 workshops, which were based on Freire and Pichon-Rivieres framework theo- ries. Data analysis was performed using the Dis- course of the Collective Subject method. At the beginning of their participation in the OPEAS, the relationship between educators and nutri- tionists was distant and few interdisciplinary ac- tivities were conducted. Communication among the school team, collaborative work with involve- ment o f the whole s chool c ommunity, inclusion of food and nutrition education in the curricula, and provision of food as the central pedagogical tool were considered central to the promotion of healthy nutrition. In the final evaluation four central ideas were highlighted defining OPEAS as being important for knowledge acquisition, a set- ting for reflection, an opportunity for integration and a platform for putting ideas into practice. Ongoing education should be implemented with school professionals aiming to foster actions to promote healthy nutrition at school.