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This article describes and analyzes the political and institutional context and the process of implementation of the Interdisciplinary Bachelor's degree in Health (IBH) during the 2006-2011 period. The methodology included document review and analysis of personnel records of the researchers involved. By using the concepts of "window of opportunity" and "hypercomplex organization," it was revealed that managerial and organizational structures were created and master-documents were prepared. In addition to this, actions for implementation of the course, related to the structure of the faculty and the academic council, preparation of the pedagogical project, planning, implementation and monitoring of the teaching-learning process in the various curriculum components offered since 2009 was conducted. Analysis of the challenges and prospects of the course indicates that the major problem is the tension between the traditional model of vocational and discipline-based higher education existing hitherto and the interdisciplinary model proposed by IBH. This tension can be overcome by the full implementation of learning cycles with the institutionalization of IBH as the first cycle of professional health education.

This study assessed the association between environmental factors and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in public schools. It was studied 480 students, by means of anthropometric measurements evaluation, weight and height--BMI by sex and age and in accordance with the parameters of WHO and IOTF. Environmental information was obtained using a questionnaire applied to students. The Epi Info Program, version 3.3.2, was used to data collection and analysis. Prevalence rates of obesity varied according to the criteria it was used. According to the IOTF, prevalence of obesity was 7.1%, while, according parameters of the WHO, the prevalence was 18%. The significant risk factor for obesity was the father obesity (PR = 1.08; CI: 0.57-2.04). We concluded that the nutritional profile of the school serves as a subsidy for tracking trends of overweight in this group. This study could instruct the rationalization of the use of the time and public financial resources, proving the need to invest in the school feeding and in the health students.