The present study derived from our interest in nursing practice with the undernourished children and their families. Our objectives were: to understand the social representations of the nursing team about undernourished children and their families and to analyze how these representations can interfere in the process of taking care. Based on qualitative research principles, authors adopted the social representations theoretical method. For data collection and analysis, authors used the projective techniques and speech subject analysis, respectively. Results showed an innocent conception by nursing professionals, that reproduces in the practical field a strong moral code and hygienic habits to the family and it does not propitiate the formation of a critical conscience about their citizenship rights.
family-professional relationship; community health nursing; child nutrition disorders
