Relationship between cultural food taboos and maternal and child nutrition: A systematic literature review

Abstract

Background: The increasing frequency and intensity of climate extremes, such as floods and droughts, are anticipated to exacerbate the burden of malnutrition. This issue is particularly pronounced among vulnerable populations, including children under five years of age and pregnant women, where malnutrition can be further aggravated by the prevalence of food taboos. While food taboos are often instituted to protect the health of specific groups, they can also restrict the intake of essential nutrients, thereby impeding growth and development.

Aims: This study aimed to explore the relationship between culturally ingrained food taboos and the nutritional status of mothers and children.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted across multiple databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Semantic Scholar. Following the removal of duplicates and the application of predefined inclusion criteria, a total of 45 articles were selected for analysis. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using the AMSTAR checklist.

Results: The earliest article identified in this review was published in 1994. The majority of the studies were conducted in African countries (24), followed by Asia (15). Food taboos predominantly involved plant-based sources (13 articles), with animal-based food sources also frequently restricted. Of the reviewed articles, 62.2% of the articles focused on women of childbearing age, while six articles specifically addressed children. Notably, only two studies incorporated anthropometric measurements to establish a direct association between food taboos and nutritional outcomes.

Conclusion: Although research on the intersection of food taboos and maternal and child nutrition has expanded in recent years, there remains a critical need for more comprehensive studies that employ anthropometric measurements to elucidate the impact of food taboos on nutritional status. Such research would provide clearer insights into the effects of food taboos on nutritional status and inform targeted interventions to address this issue.

Keywords: Culture, Taboos, Women, Child nutrition, Malnutrition.