Analysis of High-Risk Nutritional Practices Across Cultures

This report delves into the high-risk nutritional practices observed across various cultures, including American, Somali, Chinese, West African, and Arabic societies. It explores the historical perspectives, belief systems, and other factors that contribute to these behaviors, such as industrialization, religious beliefs, and cultural norms. The analysis covers specific dietary habits, like junk food consumption, alcohol and tobacco use, and the impact of traditional diets. The report also examines the role of healthcare providers in addressing these high-risk behaviors, considering education, family roles, spiritual beliefs, and healthcare practices. The findings highlight the importance of cultural awareness in understanding and improving nutritional habits, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions to promote healthier lifestyles.

Running head: NUTRITINOAL PRACTICES 1
High-Risk Nutritional Practices
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There has been a significant shift in the nutritional practices globally. As much as
traditional nutritional practices have been influenced by industrialization, the feeding customs of
people are to a greater extent still influenced by cultures. There is a strong association between
nutrition and culture. Most cultures are distinguished by nutritional behaviors. One of the critical
aspects of culture is its influence on health. Some cultures have healthy nutritional practices
whereas others are detrimental to health. Nutritional practices in every culture are passed down
from generation to generation and are based on some belief systems. The current essay aims at
examining the high-risk nutritional practices across multiple cultures. More specifically, it
explores the high-risk nutritional practices and the historical perspectives, belief systems, in
addition to other aspects that determine nutritional practices of each culture.
The American children have a culture of high-risk nutritional behavior which consists of
the consumption of junk food. There has been observed a significant increase in the number of
American children and youth that habitually consume junk food. Such a risky nutritional
behavior has been influenced by multiple factors. Though, the historical perspective or belief
system associated with such practice has not been explored fully. However, research on the
possible causes and impacts of the high consumption of junk food among American children and
youth have attributed it to industrialization, family roles, promotions, education, and busy
schedules. The practice of producing junk food emerged with industrialization because in the
past most of the family members could eat food prepared at home, and there were minimal fast-
food restaurants, unlike today. But things are different today because most of the time there is no
one at home including the children and also there are fast food restaurants everywhere thus
exposing the children to junk food. The education and busy schedules alongside overtaxing
professions for parents are other reasons for the current feeding habit in children and youth.

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Unfortunately, feeding habits have resulted in serious health complications such as childhood
obesity, hypertension, and diabetes in children (Anzman, Rollins, & Birch, 2010).
Conversely, the nutritional culture among American adults is not any better than those of
the children and youth. The lifestyle of the American adults is characterized by smoking,
overeating and alcohol consumption. Such behaviors have been associated with lifestyle choices
but they also have an element of historical view or belief. The habit of alcohol consumption and
smoking among American adults is due to depression caused by family problems and demanding
careers. The idea that alcohol consumption and smoking are effective in relieving stress and
controlling depression is founded on a historical perspective and belief system. The habit of
overeating among American adults is caused by the availability of too much food and lack of
temperance. Most of the victims eat because there is food and not because they are hungry.
Others eat as a way of passing time, especially when stressed or when having good times with
peers or family. As a result, they end up eating more food than is necessary. Studies have
reported a significant correlation between overeating and obesity and weight gain (Ruhm, 2012;
Davis et al., 2011). Additionally, smoking and alcohol consumption have been associated with
the increase in lifestyle diseases such as cancer, hypertension, and obesity (Bell, Salmon, &
McNaughton, 2011).
Another interesting nutritional culture is that practiced by Immigrant Somalis living in
the United States. Their dominant religion is Muslim and it significantly influences their
nutritional practices such as diet and breast-feeding practices. The most common foods amongst
the American Muslims are the “haram” and “halal” foods. The “haram” foods are a group of
foods that they are allowed to eat whereas the “halal” consists of forbidden foods (Counihan, &
Van Esterik, 2012). This community also practices regular fasting as directed by their Muslim

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calendar. As much as their eating behaviors are regulated by the principles of Islamic faith, some
of their nutritional practices are risky. For example, most of their foods have high sugar content
due to too many sweeteners. Others include deep-fried foods and too much intake of red meat
and starchy foods (Bell, Salmon, & McNaughton, 2011). Such high-risk nutritional practices are
promoted by their understanding and belief that being too fat is healthy.
The Asian Indians also have a culture of high-risk nutritional practices, however
distinctive Asian Indians are pure vegetarians. The Indian population is made up of Hindus
(80%) and Muslims (13%). The Hindu religion defines most of their nutritional behaviors thus
it’s a predominant determinant in their culture. The vegetarianism eating habit of the Hindus is
influenced by the belief of reincarnation and it constitutes total abstinence of flesh and some
animal products. Despite such healthful practices, they consume a lot of fat and consume tobacco
and betel leaves. Most of the Indians chew betel leaves alongside non-smoking tobacco and
areca nut. However, the study by Al-Rmalli, Jenkins, and Haris, (2011) found out that chewing
betel leaves and non-smoking increases the risk of developing oral cancer and submucosal
fibrosis. This is contrary to their belief that betel is healthy. Additionally, their vegetarian diet
lacks important minerals such as calcium, protein and excessive fats predisposes them to
osteoporosis and excessive weight gain (Sardana, Thatchenkery, & Anand, 2011).
The Chinese nutritional culture is also characteristic of risky behaviors. However, it is
globally recognized that the Chinese nutritional culture is the healthiest and the unhealthy
nutritional practices can be attributed to dynamics in their population. The traditional Chinese
diet consisted of grains, seafood, vegetables, and fish. The emergence of high-risk nutritional
practices can be explained by the introduction of the one-child policy. Consequently, the families
had a lot of resources at their disposal and could do all they could to impress the one child. As a

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result, the child started ruling the household by dictating the food to eat, and since the child was
influenced by the food promotions of the western diet, the entire family imperceptibly adopted
the western diet. The western diet is characteristic of low nutritional value and high-calorie
content (Ma, 2015).
Another interesting culture is that practiced by the West Africans who are primarily
small-scale farmers. Their culture is known for its healthy nutritional practices but it is still
affected by some high-risk nutritional practices. For example, most of the Guinea and Togo grow
crops such as maize, cassava, bananas among others (Teeken, 2015). This makes their diet to be
rich in starch but void of sufficient amounts of animal proteins. The high incidence of
malnutrition more so in children in West Africa has been attributed to their farming.
Furthermore, there are some foods whose consumption is prohibited by their ancient belief
systems (Martínez Pérez, & Pascual García, 2013). However, westernization has significantly
influenced their lifestyle and it is reported that consumption of junk food, alcohol consumption,
smoking and drug, and substance abuse are on the rise.
Sub-Saharan Africa is also known for its rich culture upon which its nutritional practices
are based. The region is significantly made-up of pastoralists and small-scale farmers with maize
being the staple crop (Alonso, 2015). The farming produce is majorly intended for domestic
consumption and the excess is sold to cater to other foodstuffs not grown. But the inadequate
supply of vitamins and proteins in their diet causes a lack of a balanced diet. The major
components of their diet include bananas, grains, and potatoes. The animals kept by most of
them do not produce enough to meet their nutritional needs. Too much intake of carbohydrates
and fats is a high-risk nutritional practice and the ecological factors influence their nutritional

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practices. Moreover, the small-scale farming that they rely on is frequently affected by dry
seasons and thus causing food insecurity.
Some high-risk nutritional practices are observable in the Arabic Culture. Their Muslim
religion is a dominant factor that influences their nutritional beliefs and practices. The choice of
foods is based on religious principles. For example, the Arabs are prohibited from consuming
flesh and flesh products from specific animals (Stewart et al., 2013). The prevalent high-risk
nutrition habit is the consumption of tobacco by men since their culture does not allow women to
use tobacco. Tobacco affects all body organs and increases the risk of cancer and hypertension
(Stanfield, 2010). Additionally, smoking of tobacco causes infertility in men and lowers the body
immune thus making it more vulnerable to diseases.
As already observed above, culture is a dominant factor that affects the nutritional
practices of people. Its influence can be beneficial or deleterious on the eating habits. This paper
has shown that most cultures have high-risk nutritional practices as much as the harmful effects
are not the envisioned objective of the habits. Instead, the high-risk behaviors are a result of a
lack of awareness, ignorance, historical views, and unfounded belief systems. Generally, the
awareness of the high-risk nutritional habits across cultures is critical to comprehend and
appreciate cultural diversity and its effect on health and nutrition.

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References
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