Segurança alimentar e alimentação saudável na percepção de acadêmicos da Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará

Abstract

Student life during high education can cause problems in students' nutrition. This dissertation analyzed the perceptions about food safety and healthy eating for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Western Pará (Ufopa), as well as their eating habits. Specifically, it was aimed to trace the state of the art on food security and university students in Brazil; to analyze how Environmental Education can contribute to the process of healthy eating, aiming to point out the reflexes of the food production process; to describe the socioeconomic profile and eating habits of undergraduate students at Ufopa; and to analyze their perceptions regarding food security and healthy eating. The work was divided into three parts: a) systematic review of the literature on food safety and university students; b) review on Environmental Education and Healthy Eating; and c) a case study with the participation of 73 undergraduate students at Ufopa. The results show a lack of approaches related to public policies aimed at university students; predominance of students in the health area as the most studied subjects and Environmental Education was perceived as an instrument to sensitize people to an ecological spirit, being important in the attempt to minimize the negative impacts resulting from food production. Food security and healthy eating in the students' perception are related to the consumption of foods that are good for health, that are rich in nutrients, proteins and vitamins; that do not harm health and meet human needs. Ufopa can promote healthy eating and contribute to the food security of its main audience, the students, through planned and coordinated actions. These results can contribute to the discussion for the implementation of public and institutional policies of Ufopa, which allow actions in favor of food security for university students.