Social and Natural Sciences in Nutrition: studying the opinion of undergraduates from Brazil and Spain

Abstract

Our interest in this study is to consider differences in the nutrition degrees of Brazil and Spain. It forms part of a comparative study, with the principal objective of discussing the role of social sciences throughout the nutrition courses of these two countries. The question analyzed considers the perceived relative importance given to different subjects by nutritionists throughout their degree. Methods. This was mixed methods, cross-sectional study. Questionnaires were completed by 820 students from 17 universities in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Catalonia (Spain) while in both countries focus groups and interviews were performed with students from representing each year of the course. The questionnaire results were analyzed quantitatively using the Likert scale, with the responses divided according to weighted relative frequencies. Results. The Brazilian students a greater perceived importance of chemistry throughout their degree (p<0.05) while the Spanish students, emphasized the importance of social studies such as sociology and psychology (p<0.05) over the scientific topics of chemistry and statistics. Conclusion. These results provide an apparent paradox given the greater socio-economic inequalities in the Brazilian context, where social studies could be helpful to confront food and nutritional issues. The results of this study open possibilities for greater contextualization in approaches to the Natural Sciences, including dialogue with social and cultural issues, and the possibility of broadening the focus of teaching on the human body to articulate social, economic and politic aspects.