RESUMO
RESUMEN El objetivo de esta investigación fue comparar las principales características que influyen en el funcionamiento de los Programas de Alimentación Escolar (PAE) en escuelas urbanas y públicas de Costa Rica y Guatemala y la percepción de la comunidad escolar sobre dicho funcionamiento. Se realizó una revisión documental de informes y normativas vigentes relacionadas con los PAE de cada país para comparar características principales. Se realizaron 32 entrevistas y 43 grupos focales con la comunidad escolar para captar sus percepciones sobre el funcionamiento. Se realizó un análisis temático de transcripciones aplicando teoría fundamentada. Como principales hallazgos, se destaca que los PAE en Costa Rica y Guatemala han sido una estrategia para luchar contra el hambre y malnutrición infantil, contando ambos países con un gran respaldo normativo y político que le da sostenibilidad. Sin embargo, existen barreras como recursos limitados, problemas administrativos y falta de fiscalización de las normas. En conclusión, apesar de que en ambos países existe una normativa robusta para hacer cumplir el derecho a una alimentación saludable, se encontraron algunas barreras que dificultan una correcta implementación del PAE.
ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to compare the functioning of School Feeding Programs (SFP) in Costa Rica and Guatemala and the perceptions about operationalization among the public school community. We conducted a comparative review of government reports and existing regulations related to SFP in each country to compare key characteristics. We conducted 32 individual interviews and 43 focus group discussions with actors at different levels of the school community to capture their perceptions about SFP functioning. We conducted thematic analysis applying grounded theory. SFP in both countries have been used as a strategy to address hunger and child malnutrition. Both countries have an important body of regulations and policies that support program sustainability. However, the research revealed some barriers to effective implementation including: limited resources, administrative problems, and a lack of oversight of regulations. In conclusion, while SFP are important instruments of social protection for the right to nutrition in both countries, there are a number of barriers to optimal SFP implementation.
RESUMO
The anthropology of linguistics, food, and nutrition sciences has a key role with regard to taking a critical look at the Guatemalan Food Guidelines (GFG). These GFG are communicated to native communities to interpret their eating patterns and the structural cognitive interpretation of these food groups in a cultural context. Our understanding of food is informed by cognitive structure represented by language. Since food is fundamental in human cultural identities, understanding food and food categories from the perspective of Mayan indigenous groups should be a fundamental pillar of health, food, and nutrition. The purpose of this research was to explore the GFG and compare them to K'iche' understandings of food groups in terms of cognitive structural similarities and differences. The research was carried out in the field by way of semi-structured interviews and participant observation among K'iche' Mayan families in Nahualá (Western Guatemala) to compare and contrast data collected on K'iche' food groups and corresponding cognitive structure with previously published findings on the GFG. These findings were confirmed through fieldwork, though some of the nuances of subcategories have changed, and significant stress was placed on 2 food groups: wa (corn-based food) and ri'kil (non-corn-based food). The research concludes that the cognitive structure and understanding of food groups and their uses communicated through K'iche' language differ significantly from the hierarchical, technical description of food groups communicated through the GFG. In order to strengthen public health approaches to food and nutrition, indigenous knowledge must be respected, learned, and integrated into GFG.