This paper proposes a model the teaching of nutrition in primary schools in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. Based on the study of the "Science Curriculum Proposal" as well as on the results of a survey conducted among teachers and 8th year students in the metropolitan area of Recife (the state capital), a program for nutrition teaching has been developed that reflects the topics suggested by the students. The elaboration of such a program included: establishment of goals; selection and organization of content; selection of techniques, resources and instruments of evaluation, taking into account such aspects as logical structure, grading, continuity and integration. Topic selection and organization were based on the following general objectives: a) 1st year - the understanding that environment, man and food are interdependent; b) 2nd year - the classification of food according to its origin and function and identifying community food resources; c) 3rd year - the grouping of food according to the predominance of nutrients and their function in the organism, as well as the identification of local food resources; d) 4th year - the identification of forms of food conservation and hygiene and the agricultural and cattle production of the state; e) 5th year - the awareness of general norms for industrial and sanitary food inspection; f) 6th year - the identification of typical local foods as well as different uses of available food resources and their preparation; g) 7th year - the identification of the factors involved in the access to and adaption of diet suited to the community's nutritional needs; h) 8th year - the familiarization with the most common nutritional diseases in Pernambuco as well as in Brazil in general, their determinant factors, consequences and preventive measures to be taken. The program proposed can be added to the Health Program, each grade (year) corresponding to one of the units of those in this study area.
Child nutrition; Health education; Child. School
