Innate food aversions and culturally transmitted food taboos in pregnant women in rural southwest India: Separate systems to protect the fetus?

Abstract Background Poor maternal nutrition adversely affects pregnancy and birth outcomes. In many societies, there are dietary restrictions due to misconceptions or food taboos during pregnancy which consequently results in the depletion of important nutrients. These cultural malpractices and beliefs can influence the dietary intake of pregnant women which subsequently affects the birth outcome. The study aimed at exploring the extent of food taboos and misconceptions during pregnancy in rural communities of Illu Aba Bor Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods A qualitative study was conducted using an in-depth interviews of key informants and focus group discussions among purposively selected pregnant women and their husbands, health care workers, health extension workers, and elderly people. Data were transcribed verbatim, thematized; color-coded, and analyzed manually using the thematic framework method. Result Thorough reading and review of the transcripts generated three major themes. The primary theme was the belief and practice of taboos related to the intake of certain food items during pregnancy. Pregnant women, their husbands, and mothers-in-law believed that certain foods should be avoided during pregnancy. The second theme was foods that were held as taboo and the reason attached to it. The most common food items held as taboo were related to the consumption of vegetables like cabbage, pumpkin, milk and milk products, sugar cane, fruits like bananas and avocado and egg. The main reasons to avoid these foods were beliefs that it can be plastered on the fetal head, making fatty baby which is difficult for delivery. The third theme was the reasons underlying adherence to food taboos which is deeply embedded in the person’s believes and attitudes of the pregnant women, who were nested within the influence of the social environment surrounding them and the traditional beliefs and values of the society in general. Conclusions The results showed a widespread practice of food taboos during pregnancy in the study area. The finding suggested that there is a need for strengthening the nutrition counseling components of antenatal care follow-up and planning comprehensive nutrition education through involving important others to dispel such traditional beliefs and prevent food taboo practices in the study community.

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Food Taboos and Cultural Beliefs Influence Food Choice and Dietary Preferences among Pregnant Women in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11112668 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 2668 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Gamuchirai Chakona ◽

Charlie Shackleton

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Nutrition Education ◽

Maternal Nutrition ◽

Cultural Beliefs ◽

Meat Products ◽

River Valley ◽

Care Practice ◽

Healthy Population ◽

Food Taboos

A well-nourished and healthy population is a central tenet of sustainable development. In South Africa, cultural beliefs and food taboos followed by some pregnant women influence their food consumption, which impacts the health of mothers and children during pregnancy and immediately afterwards. We documented food taboos and beliefs amongst pregnant isiXhosa women from five communities in the Kat River Valley, South Africa. A mixed-methods approach was used, which was comprised of questionnaire interviews with 224 women and nine focus group discussions with 94 participants. Overall, 37% of the women reported one or more food practices shaped by local cultural taboos or beliefs. The most commonly avoided foods were meat products, fish, potatoes, fruits, beans, eggs, butternut and pumpkin, which are rich in essential micronutrients, protein and carbohydrates. Most foods were avoided for reasons associated with pregnancy outcome, labour and to avoid an undesirable body form for the baby. Some pregnant women consumed herbal decoctions for strengthening pregnancy, facilitating labour and overall health of both themselves and the foetus. Most learnt of the taboos and practices from their own mother or grandmother, but there was also knowledge transmission in social groups. Some pregnant women in the study may be considered nutritionally vulnerable due to the likelihood of decreased intake of nutrient-rich foods resulting from cultural beliefs and food taboos against some nutritious foods. Encouraging such women to adopt a healthy diet with more protein-rich foods, vegetables and fruits would significantly improve maternal nutrition and children’s nutrition. Adhering to culturally appropriate nutrition education may be an important care practice for many pregnant women in the Kat River Valley.

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Food Taboos and Codes of Conduct for Pregnant Women at Mount Sindoro, Wonosobo District, Central Java, Indonesia

Studies on Ethno-Medicine ◽

10.31901/24566772.2019/13.02.590 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 (02) ◽

Author(s):

Atik Triratnawati

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Codes Of Conduct ◽

Food Taboos ◽

Central Java

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Assessment of food taboos and related misconceptions during pregnancy in Mekelle city, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

10.21203/rs.2.14945/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Freweini Gebrearegay Tela ◽

Lemlem Weldegerima Gebremariam ◽

Selamawit Asfaw Beyene

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

The Body ◽

P Value ◽

Feeding Practice ◽

Northern Ethiopia ◽

Health Providers ◽

Food Taboos ◽

Food Taboo ◽

Mekelle City

Abstract Introduction Communities, rural or urban, have their own taboos and misconceptions regarding what type of foods to consume and avoid during pregnancy and why. In Ethiopia, as in many other developing countries, there are misconceptions on specific quality and quantity of food a pregnant woman should or should not eat during pregnancy, affecting their nutritional status. Despite this, information related to food taboos in Ethiopia is lacking. Therefore, this study assessed food taboos and related misconceptions during pregnancy in Mekelle city, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.Method A cross-sectional study was conducted among 332 pregnant women who were in antenatal care follow-up in selected private clinics starting from January 1st up to June/30/2017. A semi-structured questionnaire consisting of closed and open ended questions was prepared in the way that it can assess the food taboo practices, types of foods avoided, and the perceived reasons for avoidance. Data were entered in to SPSS version 21 for analysis. The results were described using frequency and percentage, and presented using tables. Cross-tabulation (x 2 - test) was used to analyze the association between different socio-demographic variables and food taboo practice. Statistical significance was declared at P -value < 0.05 and 95% confidence interval (CI).Result The results of this study indicate that 11.5% of the pregnant women avoided at least one type of food during their current pregnancy because of different perceptions. The mothers were forbidden from taking food items such as yogurt, banana, legumes, honey, “kollo” (roasted barley and wheat), and spices (mustard). The most common perceptions for the avoidance of these foods were abortion, abdominal cramp to the mother and newborn, prolonged labor, and coating to the body of the fetus. Among the socio-demographic characteristics studied, educational status was found to significantly influence food taboo practices among the study participants (P<0.0001).Conclusion The misconception on the feeding practice during pregnancy should be discouraged, and health providers should promptly counsel pregnant women about appropriate feeding practices during their ANC visits.

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ASPEK GIZI DAN MAKNA SIMBOLIS TABU MAKANAN IBU HAMIL DI INDONESIA

Jurnal Ekologi Kesehatan ◽

10.22435/jek.17.1.140.52-63 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 52-63

Author(s):

Bibi Ahmad Chahyanto ◽

Arnati Wulansari

Keyword(s):

Literature Review ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Human Life ◽

Research Result ◽

Symbolic Meaning ◽

Food Taboos ◽

Ethnographic Approach ◽

Development Cycle ◽

Reading Materials ◽

Food Consumed

ABSTRACT The period of pregnancy is an important period early in the human life cycle, so the nutritional status and health must be optimized. The problem that many occur in pregnant women is the restriction of the type and amount of food consumed. One of them is due to food taboos. The purpose of this study was to describe the type of food taboos, symbolic meaning of food taboos on pregnant women in Indonesia, and its nutritional aspects. This study was a literature review, by collecting articles through the database online. Number of articles or libraries that have been collected to be reviewed were 38 reading materials, consist of 19 scientific articles, 10 research result in the form of thesis / dissertation, and 9 research result book with ethnographic approach. The results showed that the most abundant food taboos by pregnant women is the group of animal food dishes that are useful for fetal growth and development, such as squid and catfish. It is necessary to educate primarily on pregnant women to begin to avoid food taboos, and the importance of protein intake for fetal development early in human development cycle. Keywords: Nutrition, pregnant woman, symbolic meaning, food taboos ABSTRAK Periode kehamilan merupakan periode penting di awal siklus kehidupan manusia, sehingga status gizi dan kesehatannya harus dioptimalkan. Masalah yang banyak terjadi pada ibu hamil adalah pembatasan jenis dan jumlah makanan yang dikonsumsi. Salah satunya dikarenakan tabu makanan. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mendeskripsikan jenis makanan yang ditabukan, makna simbolis tabu makanan bagi ibu hamil di Indonesia, dan aspek gizinya. Penelitian ini merupakan literature review, dengan mengumpulkan artikel melalui database secara online. Jumlah artikel atau pustaka yang berhasil dikumpulkan untuk ditelaah sebanyak 38 pustaka, terdiri dari 19 artikel ilmiah, 10 hasil penelitian berupa skripsi/tesis/disertasi dan 9 buku hasil penelitian dengan pendekatan etnografi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa makanan yang paling banyak ditabukan oleh ibu hamil adalah kelompok makanan lauk hewani yang berguna bagi pertumbuhan dan perkembangan janin, seperti cumi-cumi serta ikan lele. Perlu adanya edukasi terutama terhadap ibu hamil untuk mulai menghindari tabu makanan dan pentingnya asupan protein untuk perkembangan janin di awal siklus perkembangan manusia. Kata kunci: Gizi, ibu hamil, makna simbolis, tabu makanan

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Food related taboos and misconceptions during pregnancy among rural communities of Illu Aba Bor Zone, Southwest Ethiopia.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-33789/v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dereje Tsegaye ◽

Dessalegn Tamiru ◽

Tefera Belachew

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Nutrition Education ◽

Health Workers ◽

Birth Outcome ◽

Traditional Beliefs ◽

Southwest Ethiopia ◽

Food Items ◽

Food Taboos ◽

Food Taboo

Abstract Background: Poor maternal nutrition adversely affects pregnancy and birth outcomes. In many societies, pregnant women have food taboos and misconceptions which consequently results in the depletion of vital nutrients. These cultural malpractices and beliefs can influence dietary intake of pregnant women which subsequently affects the birth outcome. This study aimed at exploring the extent of food taboos and misconceptions during pregnancy in rural communities of Illu Aba Bor Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews of key informants and focus group discussions among purposefully selected pregnant women and their husbands, elderly people, health workers and health extension workers. Data were transcribed verbatim, thematized; color coded and analyzed manually using the thematic framework method.Result: Thorough reading and review of the transcripts generated three major themes. The first theme was belief and practice of taboos related to the intake of certain food items during pregnancy. Pregnant women, their husbands and mothers- in- law believed that certain foods should be avoided during pregnancy. The second theme was foods that were held as taboo and the reason attached to the food taboos. The most common food items held as taboo were related to the consumption of vegetables like cabbage, pumpkin, milk and milk products, sugar cane, fruit like banana and avocado and egg and the main reasons to avoid these foods were a belief that it can be plastered on the fetal head, making fatty baby which is difficult for delivery. The third theme was the reasons underlying adherence to food taboos which is deeply embedded in the personal believes and attitudes of the pregnant women, who were nested within the influence of the social environment surrounding them and the traditional beliefs and values of the society in general. Conclusions: The results showed a widespread practice of food taboo during pregnancy in the study area. The finding suggested that there is a need for strengthening the nutrition counseling components of antenatal care follow-up and planning comprehensive nutrition education through involving important others to dispel such traditional beliefs and prevent food taboo practices in the study community.

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Factors associated with food taboos among pregnant women in the Dimma district, Gambella, Ethiopia

African Journal of Midwifery and Women s Health ◽

10.12968/ajmw.2020.0006 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Ageze Teshome ◽

Beakal Zinab ◽

Tekle Wakjira ◽

Dessalegn Tamiru

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Nutrition Education ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Adjusted Odds Ratio ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Mustard Seed ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Food Taboos ◽

Food Taboo ◽

Key Informant

Background/Aims A food taboo is a food or drink that people are prohibited from consuming, often as a result of an incorrect perception of the food or for religious reasons, especially in low- and middle-income countries. During pregnancy, many women are subject to food taboos that can have deleterious effects on the fetus. This study aimed to assess the magnitude ofand factors associated with food taboos among pregnant women in Dimma district, Gambella, Ethiopia. The findings of this study can advise how to address the cultural malpractices that affect dietary behaviours of pregnant women, especially in developing countries like Ethiopia. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 276 pregnant women from March 6 to May 8 2019, in Dimma district, Gambella. Data were collected using a pretested interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and key informant interviews. A total of 14 key informant interviews were conducted. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to isolate independent predictors of food taboo practices. All tests were two sided and P<0.05 was used to set statistical significance. Qualitative data were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Results Over one-third (34.7%) of the study participants restricted themselves from at least one food item during pregnancy. Common food taboos were fruits, cereals, honey, sugarcane, garden cress, mustard seed and yam. The main reasons behind food taboos were fear of maternal and fetal complications, including abortion, cardiac problems and anaemia. Food taboo practice was more common in participants aged ≥25 years (adjusted odds ratio=2.72; P=0.002), who had only attended primary education (adjusted odd ratio=2.56, P=0.019) and had a gestational age ≥7 months (adjusted odds ratio=4.33, P<0.001). Conclusions More than one-third of pregnant mothers were practicing food taboos during pregnancy in Dimma Woreda, Gambella region, which was significantly associated with older participants and a lack of formal education. Therefore, intensive nutrition education should be given by both government and non-government organisations, focusing on pregnant women.

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Role of food taboos in energy, macro and micronutrient intake of pregnant women in western Kenya

Nutrition & Food Science ◽

10.1108/nfs-09-2016-0146 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 47 (6) ◽

pp. 795-807 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Lucy Wanjiru Kariuki ◽

Christine Lambert ◽

Ratna Chrismiari Purwestri ◽

Patrick Maundu ◽

Hans Konrad Biesalski

Keyword(s):

Vitamin C ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Nutrition Education ◽

Intervention Strategy ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

School Curriculum ◽

Content Type ◽

Food Taboos ◽

Low Education ◽

Lower Education

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine food taboos/habits and dietary patterns of pregnant women in Kenya. Design/methodology/approach In all, 205 individual 24-h recall interviews were conducted face to face to collect information on pregnant women dietary intake. Women focus group discussions were conducted in seven villages in Kakamega County to determine which foods are avoided during pregnancy and the reasons for avoiding them. Findings The concept of “baby becoming big” was common advice to pregnant women to reduce intake of large amounts of starchy or high caloric foods. Restriction on the consumption of some parts of cow and chicken and consumption of eggs was widespread. Women with the highest education had significantly higher intake than women with lower education: energy (1,718 vs 1,436 kcal, p = 0.007), protein (45 vs 38 g, p = 0.03), vitamin C (59 vs 39 mg, p = 0.000), calcium (275 vs 222 mg, p = 0.04) and iron (8.5 vs 7.2 mg, p = 0.03). Multivariate binary logistic regression showed that participants with higher education were more likely to reach estimated average intake for energy (OR = 2.82, 95 per cent CI = 1.2-6.5) and vitamin C (OR = 4.1, 95 per cent CI = 1.5-11.0) than women with lower education level. Originality/value The observed link between reduced intake of nutrients and low education levels suggests that education is a possible intervention strategy. Incorporating nutrition education in school curriculum and improving knowledge on nutrition among women with low education may help overcome unhealthy food taboos in pregnant women.

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