The inclusion of nutritionists in Primary Health Care: a proposal for a matrix model of nutritional care

Nutritionists were integrated into the Family Health Support Centers back in 2008. Focusing on the development of technical and pedagogical support and assistance to Family Health Teams, the aim of this study was to develop a proposal for a matrix model for nutrition aimed at women and children in the Family Health Strategy. The study was conducted in a Basic Health Unit and was divided into Cycle I, including interviews with families of 0 to 6-year-old children to establish the confines of the territory; and Cycles II and III, with the development of intersectorial field activities to promote food and nutritional security based on matrix support. Following the diagnosis of social vulnerability, children's nutritional risk, indicators of early weaning and inadequate food intake, actions were developed in order to propose a matrix model of nutritional measures in three scenarios, namely at the community, family and individual level. Among the activities that were developed, the main ones included cooking classes, prenatal care, and the training of Community Health Agents. This study tested ways to develop nutritional care by broadened clinical action and territory recognition, seeking to enhance the activities of nutritionists as health educators.