Fresh Food, Healthier Futures: PAN Brazil and SVB Join Forces to Tackle Childhood Obesity in Schools

PAN Brazil and the Brazilian Vegetarian Society (SVB) have partnered up to support schools in tackling childhood obesity.

As part of PAN’s Nourish to Thrive: Overcoming Obesity Together campaign, the aim is to develop clear, practical nutrition education materials for school networks.

With one in three children in Brazil currently overweight or obese—a trend that continues to rise—this partnership supports city governments and school coordinators in promoting healthier food environments. The content is designed to inform and empower education leaders as they explore strategies to prevent and address childhood obesity within schools.

A red ceramic jug between bowls of lettuce and grated cassava on a vibrant woven tablecloth.

Rather than focusing solely on weight, the campaign emphasises the promotion of lifelong healthy habits through plant-forward, minimally processed diets, in line with Brazil’s national dietary guidelines. The materials are intended to inform and empower school principals, coordinators, and—where appropriate—families, providing them with clear, evidence-based guidance.

This marks the first collaboration between PAN Brazil, the local chapter of the global Physicians Association for Nutrition, and SVB, a prominent advocate for vegan diets in Brazil. The two organisations bring together clinical expertise and public engagement experience to support better nutritional literacy in schools.

“Brazil is currently facing a paradoxical situation where undernutrition and overnutrition coexist, impacting millions of people,” says Candice Schneider, Executive Director of PAN Brazil. “This issue is not only about excess weight; it is deeply intertwined with malnutrition and food insecurity. When healthy food is inaccessible, families often turn to ultra-processed, calorie-dense foods—impacting children’s development, cognition, and long-term health.”

Key Components of the Campaign Materials:

• Nutrition Education Content: Materials highlight the importance of fresh, plant-based foods and the risks of ultra-processed diets.

• Supportive School Resources: Tools for school leaders to incorporate nutritional topics into the curriculum.

• Professional Learning: Webinars (to be announced) will offer practical, science-based strategies for educators and healthcare professionals.

• Community Awareness: Social media and outreach content will help raise public awareness about the importance of healthy food environments.

According to national data, 32% of Brazilian children and adolescents are currently overweight or obese (SISVAN, 2024), and 7% of children under five are overweight (ENANI, 2021). Without urgent interventions, the country is on track to see 25% of its population living with obesity by 2030.

“We believe schools can play a pivotal role in shaping food environments,” says Michele Letran, Food Policy and Campaign Manager at SVB. “By working with local governments and education leaders, we hope to support the integration of nutrition education and healthier meals into everyday school life.”

The campaign begins with informational content tailored for public schools and aims to engage broader educational stakeholders throughout the year.