Nutritional Taboos among the Fullas in Upper River Region, The Gambia

Abstract

Malnutrition is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality of children in the world. In The Gambia, malnutrition is one of the major public health problems. Among the factors determining its high prevalence, cultural norms play a crucial role. Food taboos influence the amount, frequency, and quality of nutrients that mothers and children consume. In this qualitative study carried out in the Upper River Region, The Gambia, seventeen mothers whose ethnic affiliation is Fulla were interviewed. The objective was to describe their food taboos and how they influence their nutritional health. The findings of this study demonstrate that some of the taboos practiced by the Fulla may be regarded as contributing factors to protein-energy malnutrition in children and pregnant and lactating women. The findings will inform the design of future health education strategies targeting malnutrition in this specific cultural context.

Is chronic malnutrition associated with an increase in malaria incidence? A cohort study in children aged under 5 years in rural Gambia

“…Maternal malnutrition can also contribute to childhood malnutrition, with data from The Gambia showing that women with a low body mass index are more likely to have stunted children [ 38 ]. Fula in the URR have been shown to have food taboos which can contribute to reduced protein and calorific intake [ 39 ]. For example, pregnant Fula women typically do not consume eggs, bread, bananas, catfish or groundnut.…”

“…For example, pregnant Fula women typically do not consume eggs, bread, bananas, catfish or groundnut. Fula women are also likely to feed only after the men and children have eaten due to gender dynamics within the household [ 39 ].…”

Food beliefs and practices among the Kalenjin pregnant women in rural Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

“…Protection of health conditions were also stated in the literature as reasons for the prevalence of food taboos in Ethiopia and Gambia [24, 25]. This is unlike other regions of Zambia where fear of foetal malformation and abnormality was established to be the major reason for pregnancy food beliefs [42].…”

Food taboos with socioeconomic status during pregnancy in West Kalimantan, Indonesia

“…Tabu terhadap makanan tertentu terutama di kalangan wanita di sub-Sahara Afrika, telah diidentifikasi sebagai salah satu faktor-faktor yang berkontribusi terhadap kekurangan gizi ibu selama kehamilan (Kariuki et al, 2017) (Pérez & García, 2013). Menurut konsep UNICEF Food-Care Health, norma budaya, tabu, dan kepercayaan terletak di dalam faktor kontekstual yang menjadi penyebab dasar malnutrisi (Ekwochi et al, 2016).…”

“…Hal tersebut kerena kekurangan asupan nutrisi, terutama selama kehamilan dan anak usia dini, dapat memiliki konsekuensi yang nyata un-tuk tumbuh kembang anak. Pada banyak komunitas, wanita hamil harus mengikuti beberapa hal yang berkaitan dengan tabu dan praktik budaya, yang memengaruhi makanan yang mereka konsumsi; dengan demikian, membuat wanita lebih rentan terhadap beberapa defisiensi mikronutrien, terutama vitamin A, folat, yodium, zat besi, kalsium dan seng, yang semuanya penting selama kehamilan (Suchdev et al, 2014 (Diana et al, 2018) (Zerfu et al, 2016 (Pérez & García, 2013). Gizi buruk selama kehamilan juga mengakibatkan banyak ibu berada pada peringkat tinggi risiko selama persalinan (Chakona & Shackleton, 2019…”