Food taboos among pregnant and lactating mothers in Tumkur: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Maternal nutrition has a huge impact on the health of the mother and the fetus. Pregnancy imposes the need for considerable extra calorie and nutrient requirements. A food taboo is a prohibition against consuming certain foods. The restrictions imposed on people forces them to abstain from certain food and drinking items as these things are embedded into the cultural and religious threads. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted between July 2014 and September 2014. Study was conducted in urban and rural field practice area of Sri Siddhartha medical college, Tumkur, Karnataka. Study involved three groups Mother –in- laws Anganwadi workers, Pregnant and lactating women. Six Focus group discussions were conducted and four themes were used. Quantitative data was tabulated and analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: All most all women under the study followed some form of restrictive diet. Many nutritive and locally available foods were avoided which includes fruits, vegetables, pulses and green leafy vegetables. Special foods rich in energy were consumed during post-partum period. Concept of hot and cold food is prevailing high and there was no scientific reasoning given for the taboo. Anganwadi workers who are front line health workers were believed in the many of the food taboos. Conclusions: Food taboos in this community are deep rooted. Avoidance of nutritive food was common in both the religion. Many misconceptions are prevalent which do not have scientific basis. Maternal nutrition needs to be prioritized at community level among family members and front line workers. Anganwadi workers need to be sensitized regarding different beliefs about food consumption during pregnancy and lactation.

Food taboos during pregnancy and lactation among tribal population of south India

“…15 Chakrabarti et al reported that taboos were present regarding consumption of various fruits (banana, papaya, jackfruit, coconut), vegetables (brinjal, leafy vegetables), meat, fish, and eggs during pregnancy. 16 These were followed mainly to prevent miscarriage, promote easy delivery, and prevent foetal malformations. Shwetha et al reported that, during pregnancy, some of the foods were specifically restricted during the first and second trimester, while certain others were forbidden throughout gestation.…”

“…19 In a study conducted by Chakrabarti et al reported that taboos in the lactation included avoidance of small fish, foods with multiple seeds, other "cold" foods, and fluid restriction in some areas. 16 The taboos were followed spontaneously as the inhibitions were imposed only for a definite period. A study by Bista found that, most of the participants expressed that they avoided black pulses (Kalodaal) and pulses as they believed that taking vegetables, daal or pulses after delivery can cause digestive problems to the baby like flatulence and pain in the abdomen.…”