Maternal beliefs regarding diet during common childhood illnesses

Maternal beliefs regarding diet during common childhood illnesses--diarrhea, fever, measles, cough and marasmus were determined in 143 rural mothers by using the interview technique. Some foods were preferred while others were restricted during episode of each illness, depending upon their 'hot' and 'cold', 'light' and 'heavy' and other characteristics, as determined by locally prevalent traditional dietary beliefs. 'Cold' foods like curd, butter milk were restricted during an episode of cough while 'hot' foods like tea, ginger with honey, were preferred. During diarrhea, 'light' foods like khichri, diluted milk and 'easy to digest' were preferred while 'heavy' foods like undiluted milk, roti and 'difficult to digest' were restricted. The study revealed that for a successful health education, it is important to identify local cultural practices and beliefs. The useful practices should be encouraged and reinforced while the harmful ones should be discouraged.