Pedagogical techniques in food and nutrition groups: the backstage of choice process

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the health professionals' social representations about the choice on pedagogical techniques to develop educational groups about food and nutrition, as health promotion strategies, in Primary Health Care (PHC). It is a qualitative research performed through the systematic observation of each accessed group (23) and semi-structured interviews with the respective coordinators (28). The analysis was made using the Discourse of the Collective Subject (DCS) technique, based on the Social Representation Theory. Six DCS were produced, highlighting that the health professionals' choice on pedagogical techniques consider: the appreciation of the collective participation; the access to audio-visual resources; the practicality to the professional; the availability of workforce; the population profile; and the use of body experience. We concluded that the decisions about the use of pedagogical techniques are influenced by the context, labor relationships and the institution, besides health professionals' beliefs and knowledge. The food and nutrition approach in educational groups as health promoters strategies is comprehended in a complex PHC, which involves structural elements, beyond public policies.