SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DIET DURING PREGNANCY
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Date
2000
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University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad
Abstract
The study was conducted in an urban area of Dharwad and Hubli by selecting 300 mothers by purposive sampling technique, which included five communities viz., Kannadiga, Rajasthani, Gujarathi, Punjabi and Tamilian and five religions, viz., Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jain and Sikh. The data was collected by personal interview method. A majority of the respondents were in their reproductive age. During entire period of pregnancy a maximum number of mothers irrespective of the communities, religious group and social classification had consumed the same amount of food as that of prepregnancy. The special foods consumed by north-lndians were more nutritious than south-lndians. Inclusion of special foods during pregnancy was found to be more in highly educated, high income group and joint family respondents. Intake of milk with ‘ghee’ as a special food during pregnancy was observed only in case of Punjabis and Sikhs. Several food beliefs and taboos were prevalent among all the communities and religions and were mostly centered around the concept of ‘hot and ‘abortic' foods. In general, food beliefs and taboos were influenced by culture. Comparatively more number of mothers from less educational status, low income group and joint family avoided various kinds of foods than their counterparts. A higher number of respondents irrespective of social and cultural class difference believed that consumption of more food during pregnancy would affect their own health. A majority of subjects had received guidance by mothers-in-law and mothers.
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No . of references 58