Factors affecting food & Nutrition

1. ASTHA K. PATEL

2. Age/Development
• People in rapid period growth (ex. Infancy &
Adolescence) have increased needs for
nutrients.
• Elders ( Old age ), on other hand, need fewer
calories & dietary changes.
ASTHA K. PATEL

3. Gender
• Nutrients requirements are different for men &
women because of body composition &
reproductive functions.
• Men – requires greater need of calories & Protein
because of larger body mass.
• Women – requires more iron because of
menstruation.
• Pregnant & Lactating Mothers have increased
caloric & fluid needs.
ASTHA K. PATEL

4. Ethnicity & Culture
• Ethnicity often determine food preference.
• Cultural beliefs and customs vary from state to
state and even the staple food is not the same.
• A person in south India will have rice & Jowar as
his staple food.
• A person in North India will have wheat as his
staple food.
ASTHA K. PATEL

5. • Even the variety of rice is different, as the
people in Tamil Nadu eat white rice
• A person in Kerala eats red/brown rice, which is
more nutritious.
• Most of communities in India that Women &
girls eat only after men & boys finish their
eating.
• Curd & citrus food is not taken by a person
suffering from cold & cough.
ASTHA K. PATEL

6. Social factors/Superstition
• Many people believe in superstition and try
to avoid certain food.
• Papaya is avoided during pregnancy, as it is
believed to cause abortion.
• Pregnant women drink milk with saffron to
have a fair baby.
ASTHA K. PATEL

7. • Consumption of Garlic will increase milk
secretion.
• Some food like papaya, meat, eggs, &
legumes are believed to increase heat in the
body.
ASTHA K. PATEL

8. Religious Factor
• Many Hindus are vegetarian.
• Jain do not eat after sunset.
• Muslims are prohibited from eating pork.
• Hindus do not eat beef.
ASTHA K. PATEL

9. Traditional factors
• The traditional cooking practice also act as a
barrier to achieving a balanced diet.
• Ex- using polished rice
• draining away a rice water
• Boiling of vegetables adds to great loss of
nutrients.
• Doing a fasting
ASTHA K. PATEL

10. Economical Factors
• Food selection is based upon a affordability.
• A daily wage earner will spend more on staple food
than fruits & vegetables.
• They depends on cereals, low cost green leafy
vegetables & root and tubers.
• An effluent person will consume a variety of foods.
ASTHA K. PATEL

11. Geographical areas
• People in coastal areas of Karnataka, Kerala, Goa
& west Bengal consume a lot of sea food.
• Rice is staple food in south india ( Andhra
pradesh, Kerala, tamilnadu)
• Wheat is staple food of Northern & eastern
regions. As wheat is the main crop in temperate
regions.
ASTHA K. PATEL

12. Production & Transport
• Locally grown foods are consumed more and
the availability of the locally grown product is
cheaper.
ASTHA K. PATEL

13. Life style
• Food forms imp. Part of festivals, parties &
celebration.
• The way person lives his life influence his
food habits.
• The work routine and the timings at work
also affects the food habits
ASTHA K. PATEL

14. Others factors
• Health status
• Agriculture
• Availability
• Education status
ASTHA K. PATEL

15. ASTHA K. PATEL