PROGRAMAS DE SALUD Y NUTRICIóN SIN POLíTICA DE ESTADO: EL CASO DE LA PROMOCIóN DE SALUD ESCOLAR EN CHILE

the objective of this study was to analyze the background information on school health promotion from an international perspective, the health and nutrition situation of children and adolescents, school health and nutrition strategies implemented in the last decade, and finally, the present challenges according to the needs and opportunities existing in the country. international and national technical documents, national surveys, health and nutrition interventions and programs were reviewed. data published in the country and abroad regarding the health and nutrition situation of children and adolescents show high rates of overweight, obesity and low physical activity; high alcohol consumption; increasing violence and emotional problems; infant development deficit and low social participation of youth. past strategies and actions are described, with reasonable good results in the "skills for life program" and in the health promotion schools, in particular in the accreditation of these schools until 2005, when the national s trategy vida chile was cancelled. from then on multiple unarticulated actions have been carried out, mainly by the alliance of the academic and private sectors, resulting mostly in intervention models and nutrition education technical materials. government initiatives, such as the ego (global strategy to stop obesity) schools, have not been successful. in conclusion, it is necessary to create a national institution responsible for implementation of a coherent public policy actively incorporating both the academia as well as the private sector in the school health promotion policy.