Nutritional hazards of food taboos and preferences in Mid-West Nigeria

Abstract

A study of the food taboos and food preferences in the Mid-West Nigeria shows that the protein intakes (especially animal protein) of children, and of pregnant and lactating women are directly affected by the native customs. The diet of the population provides approximately 50 to 60% of the protein requirements (3). The effects of a low protein intake could be directly related to the public health problems in the region and require further investigation. A lack of adequate protein in the diet, further depleted by food prejudices that forbid eating what is available, can adversely affect the health status of a population, i.e., cause protein-calorie malnutrition in children, maternal depletion, premature aging, and general malnutrition in women. To prevent these effects from escalating, the lay public should be educated by medical and paramedical personnel who themselves must first be given the necessary sound nutrition education.