Nutritional Anthropology

PHN 804January 2011

Introduction Nutritional characteristics of the diet

have enormous influence on the development and health of individuals.

Eating is an intensely social activity

Introduction Cultural notions of person-hood,

kinship, sharing, and morality are all expressed in the way food is acquired, prepared and consumed.

Definition

A field of study at the interface of anthropology and nutritional sciences focused particularly on understanding how the interactions of social and biological factors affect the nutritional status of individuals and populations

General Areas of Study The importance of socio-culturally

determined food preferences. Issues regarding biological

requirements for sustaining growth. Concerns regarding famine and

situations of uncertain food supply. The impact of seasonal and unequal

food distribution. Nutritional determinants of successful

reproduction.

Areas of Study Specific to Nutrition

Nutrition and life history theory Nutrition and Human development. Weaning studies Intra-household food allocation Coping with famine

Nutrition and Life History Theory

The interest in life history theory and lifespan development devolves from the dual concerns of a bio cultural approach:

biology must "work" at all points of the lifespan well enough to avoid death.

“the work of culture" must be to generate or allow a tolerably meaningful psychosocial life throughout that long lifespan.

Nutrition and Life History Theory

Some key areas of research include looking at The links between nutrition and variation in

growth patterns. The different aspects of children’s growth in a

range of cultures across the developed and developing worlds.

Nutrition and Human Development

Human growth and development is considered as a sensitive indicator of environmental quality, including Child care practices

developmental consequences of sex differentiated care

Nutrition Workload Pathogen load.

Weaning Studies

Weaning considered to be a period of nutritional stress for both mother and offspring

Crucial both for the future development of offspring and the reproductive success of parents and the evolution of other life history parameters.

Research projects lay emphasis on the interaction between culture and biology during the weaning phase.

Intra-Household Food Allocation

Concerns are associated, with the capacities of individuals and households to produce, buy and use food of right quantity and quality at various phases of life cycle and seasons

Interest in the relative status and roles of men and women in achieving desired food security.

Intra-Household Food Allocation

Determining how intra-household dynamics with a gender roles perspectives (socially determined roles of men and women) have significance in determining household food

Provide explainations for the discrepancy in food distribution and nutrient intake among household members

Coping with Famine Mass starvation tends to be viewed as

unexpected crisis rather than as a likelihood to be planned for in advance.

It is important that the food distribution mechanisms do not undermine women's traditional areas of authority such as the management of the home, food, water and family health.

Coping with Famine Nutritional anthropologists provide useful

information on How constraints to integrating gender in relief

can be overcome How to tackle biases in the distribution of food

aid and support for coping strategies. Through social relations analysis they

highlight the relations between men and women which underpin the coping strategies adopted in response to specific emergencies.