HEALTH PROJECT: PROMOTING AND ENCOURAGING HEALTHY HABITS, EMPHASIZING GOOD NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Having a healthy nutrition has as aim the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs). In order to prevent these diseases, such as arterial hypertension, cardiopathies, diabetes mellitus and neoplasia, some new practical diets were proposed. Regular physical activity is also essential non-medical conduct and in the prevention and treatment of the CNCDs. Therefore, the aim was to perform educative activities in Bairro Martins in Rio Verde, Goiás, Brazil, with the intention to raise awareness of the inhabitants of the mentioned neighbourhood of the themes mentioned above as well as to promote an improvement in their quality of life. METHOD: It regards an experience report of descriptive content. During the event, the population was surveyed about their life habits. This event was based on the steps of Maguerez Arch: observation of reality, identification of key-points, theorizing, hypothesis of solution and application to reality. An action plan was developed in order to encourage an improvement in quality of life. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: An expressive number of overweight people and CNCDs in the neighbourhood was noticed based on the collected data, which led the authors to choose the theme “healthy habits”. A nutritionist and a physical educator took part in the event, explaining the food pyramid and alternative and easy ways of doing exercise at home. The importance of this project relates to the avoidance of the deterioration of pre-existing clinical conditions or the appearance of new ones, helping to prevent and/or control their risk factors and encouraging non-medical treatment.