The article describes the experience of the Brazilian government in the organization of food and nutrition actions in primary healthcare. The actions are developed by food and nutrition surveillance personnel having the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System as its main tool; Actions of Health and Healthy Food Habits Promotion, with the implementation of the Brazilian Food Guide; National Strategy for Healthy Complementary Feeding; Health at School Program; and actions for the prevention and control of obesity, non-communicable chronic diseases and micronutrient deficiencies, with special focus on iron-deficiency anemia and vitamin A deficiency. The actions related to food and nutrition in primary healthcare were strengthened by the inclusion of a dietician in the Family Health Support Teams - multidisciplinary teams that guarantee that primary healthcare teams have access to primary, secondary and tertiary food and nutrition actions. Intersectoral cooperation is one of the components of food and nutrition actions in primary healthcare, providing care to the families that receive financial aid (Bolsa Família) and combining the actions of the different sectors (health, education, social assistance and labor) in the territory. The challenge is the consolidation, expansion and universalization of the actions proposed for primary care in Brazil.
Primary health care; Obesity; Nutrition programs; Health promotion; Nutrition surveillance
