Food taboo, dietary diversity and prevalence of chronic energy deficiency in pregnant women living in rural area Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Chronic energy deficiency is strongly associated with poor pregnancy outcomes. Food taboo and dietary diversity are suspected as main risk factors of those problems among pregnant women living in rural area. Limited studies have elaborated the inferential relationship of those factors in pregnancy, warranting further investigation. Purpose: To describe food taboo and dietary diversity and to examine its association with chronic energy deficiency in pregnant women living in rural area. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 178 pregnant women aged 15–45 years. Food taboo and dietary diversity scores were drawn from single 24 hours food recall questionnaire while the perceived reason of food taboo was assessed by focus group discussion. Chronic energy deficiency was determined by mid-upper arm circumference by standard tape. Food taboo and dietary diversity score interaction was generated and binary logistic regression analysis with α= 5% and 95% confidence interval was performed to provide adjusted associations with maternal characteristics, including parity, gestational age, and socioeconomic status as potential confounders. Results: Almost half of respondents had food taboo (43.8%) and low dietary diversity score (43%) while one of fifth (19.7%) of respondents were chronic energy deficient. Those with food taboo and low dietary diversity were two times more likely to suffer from chronic energy deficiency. However, only pregnancy related factor (parity) was associated significantly with the outcome. Conclusion: Although the relationship between food taboo and chronic energy deficiency was not statistically significant, pregnant mothers with food taboo should be encouraged to have a cultural-specific health and nutrition education.