The importance of school games for the development of healthy eating habits in children and adolescents in a school setting: an integrative review

Abstract

introduction: School games, guided physical activities, and playful practices developed in the school environment have been recognized as effective pedagogical strategies to promote the integral development of children and adolescents, including the formation of healthy eating habits. Given the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity at early ages, it becomes relevant to understand how interventions that integrate bodily movement and nutrition education can contribute to the promotion of healthy behaviors. Objective: To analyze, through an integrative literature review, how in-person school games and other structured physical practices influence the adoption of healthy eating behaviors among children and adolescents. Methodology: The search for articles was conducted in the PubMed, SciELO, and BVS databases, considering primary studies published between 2021 and 2025 in Portuguese and English. Studies addressing school-based interventions involving games, bodily movement, or playful practices associated with nutrition education were included. In total, five studies met the inclusion criteria and were incorporated into the review. Results: The analyzed studies indicate that multicomponent school interventions—combining bodily movement, playful activities, and educational actions in nutrition—promote significant improvements in eating behaviors. These improvements include increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products; reduced intake of ultra-processed foods; greater regularity of meals; and enhanced nutritional literacy. Behavioral changes were observed to occur more rapidly than anthropometric changes, highlighting the need for continuous and longer-term programs. The central role of teachers and trained professionals in mediating these practices was also emphasized, as they enhance student engagement, understanding, and motivation. The literature presents limitations, such as variations in participants' ages, short intervention durations, and a lack of Brazilian studies, particularly in the state of Bahia. Conclusion: It is concluded that in-person school games constitute an effective strategy for promoting healthy eating habits and should be systematically incorporated into schools’ pedagogical practices. Further studies, including Brazilian research, are recommended to expand understanding of the effectiveness of such interventions.