Healthy habits as an indicator of personal and social development: discourses and practices in schools

Abstract

The healthy lifestyle habits of adolescents are influenced by multiple sources. In this scenario, the school plays a fundamental role, being called upon to guide students in their learning experiences, self-awareness and behavior modification. This study seeks to identify discourses and practices, associated with the healthy lifestyle indicator (of the Indicators of Personal and Social Development (IDPS for its acronym in Spanish)), among actors of educational communities, in order to identify the challenges, tensions and other relevant aspects. Following a case study design, thirty-eight actors were interviewed (professors, education assistants, school leaders and other professionals), and twelve focus groups with third-grade students from four schools with medium-low socioeconomic status, with different scores on the healthy lifestyle habits indicator. The results show significant differences, but also similarities, on discourses and practices, that facilitate or hinder the configuration of eating habits, physical activity and self-care, which are also expressed at the level of meanings, contexts, work with students, relationship with the State and management. This work reveals the need to have tools and guidelines to promote healthy lifestyle habits among students.