Full Text (PDF)
International Journal of Practical Nursing 14(1):p 45-48, Jan- April 2026. | DOI: 10.21088 ijpn.2347.7083.14126.5
Review Article
Knowledge Regarding Food Taboos of Children Among Mothers of Under-Five Children
Author Information
Licence:
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
International Journal of Practical Nursing 14(1):p 45-48, Jan- April 2026. | DOI: 10.21088 ijpn.2347.7083.14126.5
How Cite This Article:
Neelofur I. Ali. Knowledge Regarding Food Taboos of Children Among Mothers of Under-Five Children. Int J Practical Nurs. 2026; 14(1): 45-48.Timeline
Received : March 13, 2026
Accepted : April 14, 2026
Published : April 30, 2026
Abstract
Food taboos are culturally influenced dietary restrictions that prohibit the consumption of certain foods by specific groups of people. In many developing countries, food taboos significantly influence maternal feeding practices, particularly among children under the age of five. Mothers often avoid giving nutrient-rich foods to children due to traditional beliefs, misconceptions, or cultural practices. Such restrictions may contribute to malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and impaired growth and development. The present review aims to explore maternal knowledge regarding food taboos affecting children under five years of age and their impact on child health. Literature from national and international studies was reviewed to understand the socio-cultural determinants, nutritional consequences, and public health implications of food taboos. The review highlights that lack of maternal education, cultural traditions, and misinformation significantly influence feeding practices. Strengthening maternal awareness through health education and community interventions is essential to improve child nutrition and reduce malnutrition. Nurses and other healthcare professionals play a key role in educating mothers and promoting evidence-based feeding practices.
References
- 1. Meyer-Rochow VB. Food taboos: their origins and purposes. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2009;5:18.
- 2. Kavle JA, Landry M. Addressing barriers to maternal nutrition in low-income countries. Matern Child Nutr. 2017;13(2):e12252.
- 3. Demissie S, et al. Cultural beliefs and feeding practices among mothers. BMC Public Health. 2018;18:123.
- 4. Rao S, et al. Infant feeding practices in rural Karnataka. Indian J Community Med. 2015;40(3):201-206.
- 6. Sharma A, et al. Maternal beliefs and childhood nutrition in rural India. Indian J Public Health. 2019;63(2):147-152.
- 7. World Health Organization. Infant and Young Child Feeding Guidelines. Geneva: WHO; 2021.
- 8. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). International Institute for Population Sciences; 2021.
About this article
Cite this article
Neelofur I. Ali. Knowledge Regarding Food Taboos of Children Among Mothers of Under-Five Children. Int J Practical Nurs. 2026; 14(1): 45-48.
Licence:
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
| Received | Accepted | Published |
|---|---|---|
| March 13, 2026 | April 14, 2026 | April 30, 2026 |
DOI: 10.21088 ijpn.2347.7083.14126.5
Keywords
Food TaboosMaternal KnowledgeChild NutritionUnder-Five ChildrenCultural Beliefs• Community Health NursingSearch for Similar Articles
Similar Articles
- Medical Negligence in India: One Breach, Many Laws
- A Study to assess Level of Stress and Coping Strategies among Bus Driver at Sel...
- Beyond Retirement: Clinical Perspectives on Optimizing the Aging Phase of Life
- Knowledge and Practice of FAST HUG BID among ICU Nursing Officers: A Cross-Sect...
- A Descriptive Study to assess the Knowledge and Knowledge Related to Practice Re...
Article Level Metrics
Last UpdatedWednesday 17 June 2026, 20:25:29 (IST)
419
Accesses
3
80
00
Citations
NA
NA
NA
Download citation
Article Keywords
Keyword Highlighting
Highlight selected keywords in the article text.
Timeline
| Received | March 13, 2026 |
| Accepted | April 14, 2026 |
| Published | April 30, 2026 |
licence
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
