How do pregnant and lactating women, and young children, experience religious food restriction at the community level? A qualitative study of fasting traditions and feeding behaviors in four regions of Ethiopia

Abstract

Maternal and child feeding behaviors are often rooted in family and sociocultural context, making these an important point of inquiry for improving nutrition and health over the life course. The present study explored the practice of fasting during religious periods in relation to eating patterns of pregnant and lactating women and young children in four regions of Ethiopia, a nation which has experienced rapid economic growth and marked improvement in health and nutrition outcomes over the last two decades. Qualitative data collection and analysis at community level illustrated conflicting areas of understanding and practice related to diets of children and pregnant and lactating women during fasting times, potentially leading to gaps in nutrition. Community participants described different understandings of fasting requirements for these vulnerable populations and associated social norms and doxa, not always in accordance with religious texts or published guidance. Useful behavior change strategies may be developed through these results to address the potential barriers to appropriate feeding patterns for pregnant and lactating women and young children in Ethiopia. This will include continuing to work with communities and religious leaders to clarify that religious doctrine promotes improved nutrition outcomes.

Why are animal source foods rarely consumed by 6-23 months old children in rural communities of Northern Ethiopia? A qualitative study

“…The fasting period of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church accounts for more than 150 days per year and no ASF is consumed by most adults practicing Orthodox Christianity [28,47,48,52]. During this period, ASF may not be prepared at home and be available for children because the mother/caregivers are not willing to prepare non-fasting foods for their children during the fasting season due to their fear that it could contaminate utensils used for cooking family foods [28,46,53,54]. This result is also supported by a quantitative research result by Kim et al [46] who indicated that during the Lent fasting period, only one quarter of the children consumed ASF and one third of households had any ASF available in the house, although 80% of the study households owned livestock animals (chickens, cows, goats, and/or sheep).…”

Exploring the Influence of Social Norms on Complementary Feeding: A Scoping Review of Observational, Intervention, and Effectiveness Studies

“…Religious practices such as fasting impact child feeding via family diets in Ethiopia ( 43 , 47 , 48 )…”

“…While there were few mentions of religious or cultural norms linked specifically to foods for young children, broader religious and cultural norms may influence CF through their impacts on food preparation and consumption in the larger household. In Ethiopia, for example, while children are exempt from the Orthodox Christian fasting practice of not consuming meat on Wednesdays, Fridays, and multiple religious holidays, few caregivers prepare ASFs for children on these days out of concern for cross-contamination of family foods or being judged by neighbors ( 43 , 47 , 48 ). Cultural or religious groups may adhere to a variety of dietary norms such as limiting consumption of fish or meat ( 37 , 49 ).…”

Accelerating progress in improving diets and nutrition in Ethiopia

“…Recent studies among Orthodox Christians in different parts of Ethiopia have shown that the consumption of animal source foods is particularly low during fasting seasons (Abegaz et al 2018). Although children, pregnant and lactating women are exempt from fasting, the fear of 'contaminating' utensils with animal source foods, while preparing meals for the family, often lead to the avoidance of animal source foods altogether (Bazzano et al 2018). The few studies that estimated dietary diversity in women suggest that the proportion of women meeting the minimum of consuming five out of ten food groups is very low.…”