Abstract
ABSTRACT To trace the course of building a pictorial instrument that explores semiotic resources about food and nutrition education. The instrument is directed at the treatment and prevention of obesity, considering the food and nutrition problems of the Brazilian population. The criteria for photo production were: images that could cause visual impact and transmit applied nutrition information, insinuating positive and negative eating practices for promoting healthy eating, and preventing and treating obesity. Themes were created to guide photo production, and preparations, food composition tables, and food labels were used for composing the images. Focus groups were conducted with nonobese and obese women, and dietitians to evaluate image comprehension. The pictorial instrument totaled to 20 photos, with 5 photos in each of the following themes: 'Sweet life, being aware of sugar', about sugar content in sweets and drinks; 'Tasty food with little fat', about fat content in foods; 'Eating well by making the best choices', about food replacements; and 'I take care of myself by eating healthy food, about encouraging fruit and vegetable intakes. The photos contain food, meals, and semiotic resources. The pictorial instrument describes four relevant themes to approach food problems in the Brazilian population. It can easily be used for both preventing and treating obesity, and for promoting healthy eating.
Highlights
In the last years, studies have reported the worsening diet quality and nutritional status of Brazilians, as the intakes of grains, legumes, and fresh foods have decreased, and the availability of ultra-processed foods has increased[1,2,3]
The pictorial instrument has a total of 20 pictures that cover 4 dietary themes, namely “Sweet life, being aware of sugar”, “Tasty food with little fat”, “Eating well by making the best choices” and “I take care of myself by eating healthy food”, each having five pictures (Figure 1)
As the categories that emerged in the focus groups trigger reflection on diet, the instrument is a tool that needs to be worked in food and nutrition education actions
Summary
Studies have reported the worsening diet quality and nutritional status of Brazilians, as the intakes of grains, legumes, and fresh foods have decreased, and the availability of ultra-processed foods has increased[1,2,3]. Among the “Política Nacional de Alimentação e Nutrição” (PNAN, National Food and Nutrition Policy) guidelines, the Promoção da Alimentação Adequada e Saudável (PAAS, Promotion of Proper and Healthy Eating) defends supporting problematizing food and nutrition education strategies that promote dialogue between health professionals and the population to develop people’s food practice-related self-care and autonomy[11]. In this respect access to information is critical for people to have the means of pondering on their eating habits[12]. Food practices need to be deliberated in the context of life, and measures that involve counting calories, nutrients, or other similar procedures hardly change such practices in the medium- and long-run[14]
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