Taboos in Food Practices during Pre and Post-natal Period: A Comparative Study between Tribal and Non- Tribal Women in Odisha

Abstract

The food we eat on a daily basis affects how our body works, how we heal and grow, and how we maintain energy and strength and a proper nutrition process is most essential in the pre and post-natal period of pregnancy. Taking into account dynamically changing nutrition practices, the study is aimed to document and elucidate ethno cultural food practices during the pre and post-natal period of pregnancy. The study is based on the food restrictions that people follow because of religious and cultural prohibition. Though there has been few studies done in this area but the major part is lacking yet. Till date, in-depth study on the food taboos has not been done and this study is based on a comparative analysis between tribal women of Sundargarh District and non-tribal women of Bhadrak District. Sundargarh district for non-tribal sampling has been chosen as it is highly tribal dominated district as per the fifth schedule and on the other hand Bhadrak district is non-tribal dominated and historically prospering in culture. 100 sample households were selected from both the study area.50 for tribal women and 50 for Non-tribal women through random sampling. Data was collected from both the sources. Primary data was collected using household schedules, interviews and observation method. The secondary data was collected from various literatures, published books etc. The study may help in creating awareness regarding the dietary practices that people follow during their pre and post-natal period.