Educação gerontológica na escola: obesidade e doenças cronicas em pauta

Abstract

With population aging and a longer life expectation, Obesity and Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases (CND) have emerged as the main causes of death, most often avoidable, in the adult and the elderly population. Worth mention that these conditions are now pointing to a similar increase in childhood, leading to an anticipation of CND and a probable decrease in the life span of the current generation of children and teenagers. Yet, in a dramatic perspective, the inference of this fact suggests a possible shortening of the life span of those who are to be born. Considering this reality, the main objective of this research is to describe the students' perception about the experience of an educational practice focused on the prevention of obesity and chronic diseases, such as the promotion of being healthy and well-being in the process of living and aging. The study was made in 2016, with 4th graders students from elementary public school, in the interior of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The data collection took place at the school, through playful and dialogic workshops, which allowed the free expression of the students about the subject. What emerged from the materials produced by the students and the notes in field diary, in each workshop, underwent a thematic content analysis. As a result, it was possible to observe that the students felt empowered and heard in school. They expressed positive feelings regarding the opportunistic discussion in school environment on how to avoid obesity and chronic diseases as opposed to the feelings of devaluation when addressed to the same topic at home. Therefore, due to the growing number of children and adolescents affected by obesity and CND, there is an urgent need to contain this epidemic, which will lead to a reduction in life span, physical limitations and consequent loss of the autonomy of future adults and the elderly. The approach to the subject in the school environment was welcome and enthusiastic, showing that childhood obesity and its consequences needed an integrated and continuous health care, starting not only from treatment but from education, empowerment and prevention, since children when stimulated to learn about the subject showed a lot of enthusiasm.