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Pregnancy Fasting in Ramadan: Toward a Biocultural Framework
Caitlyn D Placek1, Poornima Jaykrishna2, Vijaya Srinivas2
1Department of Anthropology, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, USA.
Pregnancy fasting among Muslim women in India is socially learned, not driven by evolutionary needs. Women may fast during Ramadan to gain social and moral advantages, challenging traditional dietary theories.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Cultural anthropology
- Sociology of religion
Background:
- Pregnancy involves increased nutritional demands, creating a paradox with voluntary dietary restriction.
- Understanding pregnancy fasting requires integrating biological and cultural perspectives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a biocultural framework for understanding pregnancy fasting.
- To explore the motivations behind pregnancy fasting in Muslim women in Mysore, India.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative, cross-sectional study design.
- In-depth interviews with pregnant women experienced in Ramadan fasting.
- Application of biological and cultural evolutionary theories.
Main Results:
- Pregnancy fasting is acquired socially through various transmission methods.
- Fasting practices do not align with mainstream evolutionary theories of pregnancy diet.
- Women may fast to accrue 'moral capital' within their social context.
Conclusions:
- Pregnancy fasting is a complex biocultural phenomenon influenced by social learning and moral considerations.
- Existing evolutionary models may not fully explain pregnancy fasting behaviors in all cultural contexts.
- Further research is needed to explore the concept of 'moral capital' in pregnancy fasting.
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