Running head: HIGH-RISK NUTRITIONAL PRACTICES 1

HIGH-RISK NUTRITIONAL PRACTICES

Institutional affiliation

Student name

Date
HIGH-RISK NUTRITIONAL PRACTICES 2

Introduction

There have been gradual changes in the Nutritional practices across the globe.

Modernization is one of the major factors which has a great influence on nutritional practices

across the world, various studies have shown that cultures are also among the major factors

which plays a major role in the determination of the feeding habits of people. There is a strong

interrelationship between nutrition and culture. One of the most critical domains of culture is

nutritional practices. The most critical characteristics of nutritional behaviours are that they have

a substantial impact on health. Most cultures across the globe have several nutritional practices

which play a major role in the promotion of good health; some other cultures are associated with

practices which may be termed as high-risk. Some of these nutritional behaviours are majorly

related to various cultural elements, for instance, historical viewpoint as well as a belief system.

This paper will give an overview of the high-risk nutritional behaviours from various regions

across the globe with different cultures. This paper will particularly give an outline of the high-

risk nutritional practices which are associated with various culture as well as the beliefs, system

and historical perspectives and other considerations which affect the behaviours of different

cultures.

High-risk nutritional practices among Americans

American children are one of the outstanding cultures in the cultures on the matter of

high-risk nutritional practices. In the past few years, most of the youth and the children in

America have had a gradual increase in the habit of consuming junk food. Various studies have

shown that this behaviour has been influenced by several factors. Nevertheless, there is no

research or study which has shown a logical belief system or historical standpoint which have a

great impact on the high-risk nutritional practice. Several studies carried out by different research
HIGH-RISK NUTRITIONAL PRACTICES 3

on the causes and effective of high-risk nutritional practices showed that this practice is majorly

influenced by factors comprising of; education, family roles, education, advertisements as well

as availability. As compared to the past when most youths and children used to consume healthy

food which was prepared at their home, nowadays most of the youth prefer junk food, and they

rarely eat from their homes. One of the major factors which make the youth to eat junk food is

lack of time as a result of demanding careers and education schedules, which are very strict.

Unfortunately, excessive consumption of junk foods has resulted in increases in the prevalence

of high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes among the youth as well as children (Stotmeister,

2017).

The American adults also have a distinct culture regarding their nutritional practice,

which has various high-risk nutritional practices. Some of the most common high-risk

nutritional behaviours among the American adults comprise of; excessive consumption of

alcohol and smoking and overeating. The major causes of these practices and behaviours are

mainly associated with lifestyle. Nevertheless, they have an aspect of ancient belief or

perception. Some engage in smoking and alcohol consumption as a result of stressful lifestyles

both at home or at their place of work. The perception that drinking alcohol and smoking helps

the prevention of excessive thinking as well as relieving stress is based on historical belief and

perception system. The major cause of overeating is the availability of food. A portion of the

American adults eat for reasons such as; passing time, dealing with stress or enjoying a moment

with either their friends or family members; such activities may make the adults eat more food

than required. All these nutritional behaviours have a great impact on health as they increase the

risk of obesity as well as cancer among other health complications.

HIGH-RISK NUTRITIONAL PRACTICES 4

Another group of Americans which has an interesting culture with several high-risk

nutritional practices is the American Somalis. Most of their nutrition behaviours are mainly

influenced by religious interdictions. This culture is mainly dominated by the Muslims, their

nutritional habits, which are majorly breast feeding and diet are mainly defined by the postulates

of the Islamic faith. The Somali migrants classify their foods into two major categories, which

are; "halal" and "haram" foods. Haram is used to describe foods which are forbidden while on

the other hand, halal is used to describe foods which are good and allowed for consumption.

Some of the high-risk nutritional habits practised by the migrant Islam comprise of; utilization of

sweeteners or excessive sugar in drinks as well as their food, excessive consumption of meat,

deep frying and consumption of foods which are rich carbohydrates. The major influence of this

nutritional practices is the belief and perception of the fact that being obese or overweight is

healthy (Lubans et al. 2015). They believe that individuals should be “fat and healthy”.

High-risk nutritional practices among the Indian Asians

The Asian Indians is also another culture which practices High-risk nutritional practices

several studies have shown that the typical Asian Indians mainly consume vegetables. Their

nutritional practices are mainly inspired by Hindu. The Hindus form approximately nine per cent

of India's population, while the Muslims, on the other hand, form approximately fourteen per

cent of the population. Consequently, Hindu is said to be the most dominant religion in the Asian

Indian culture. They do not involve in consumption of animal products or even meat because

their religion believes in reincarnation. The most frequent high-risk nutritional practices in the

Asian Indian culture comprise of; use of betel, tobacco and excessive fat intake. The Asian

Indians believe that chewing of betel has various benefits related to health. Additionally, the

Asian Indian vegetarian diet which lacks calcium, and is deficient in protein, and rich in fats is
HIGH-RISK NUTRITIONAL PRACTICES 5

associated with several health complications comprising of; obesity, osteoporosis, and the

nutritional deficiency (Lee,2015).

Chinese high-risk nutritional practices

Another culture which features in the high-risk nutritional practice is the Chinese culture.

Nevertheless, most of these behaviours have emerged in the recent past as a result of several

dynamics in the Chinese population. Chinese culture is known to have one of the most critical

nutritional practices regarding health. Traditionally, their diet mainly comprised of; vegetables,

grains, sea foods and fish. High-Risk nutrition practices started being adopted in Chinese culture

after the establishment of the one-child policy. One child family played a major role in the

increased desire to excite the child. Therefore, the families started consuming the children's

preferences, which were majorly the western foods which have very little nutritional value.

Additionally, the American Chinese immigrants, have a very distinct culture as compared

to the national culture of Chinese. Despite having tried to keep their traditional nutritional

practices which were much healthier, the current descendants have faced great influence, and this

has resulted in adoption of the high-risk nutritional behaviours. The traditional Chinese culture

did not have things such as consumption of junk foods, smoking and consumption of alcohol.

The third generation has failed to uphold the nutritional practices which were not risky.

Additionally, they lack a dynamic integration to religion. Most of them are non-believers. Hence,

they do not have any principles governing whatever they eat and when to eat or not.

High-risk nutritional practices in West Africa

Another group of people with specific culture regarding nutrition is the West Africans.

The west African culture majorly made up of farmers and hence their culture is associated with

nutritional behaviours which are a little bit more healthy even though there are still a few
HIGH-RISK NUTRITIONAL PRACTICES 6

practices which can be said to be of high-risk. For example, most of the Nigerians and Ghanaians

are crop farmers. They grow crops such as; cassava, bananas, maize, potatoes as well as other

grains. Their traditional diets have substantial amounts of carbohydrates, but it lacks sufficient

amounts of animal proteins and fish. The West African traditional belief systems have greatly

influenced the region's diet. In some areas consumption of some substances is a taboo to various

groups of individuals. They are currently facing nutritional problems comprising of;

consumption of junk foods, smoking, drug abuse and excessive alcohol consumption (Martin et

al. 2015).

High-risk nutritional practices in the sub-Saharan region

Another region which has a great influence on nutritional behaviour is Sub-Saharan

Africa. The mainly consume maize, which is said to be their staple food. They mainly produce

food for domestic consumption. Nevertheless, they suffer a shortage of balanced diet on regular

occasions as a result of insufficient vitamins and proteins. Their diets mainly comprise of;

potatoes, bananas, grains as well as grain products. Most of the people in this region reals

domestic animals but small scales and hence they are not able to sustain their nutritional needs.

The high-risk nutritional practices in the Sub Saharan Africa comprise of excessive consumption

of fats and carbohydrates. Environmental factors are among the major factors which influence

nutritional behaviour in this region. The region experiences regular dry seasons, which make it

very difficult for the people to rely on agricultural production (Vergeer & Biddle 2015).

High-risk nutritional behaviour in Arabia

The last culture which is associated with several high-risk nutritional behaviours is the

Arabic culture. Their nutritional practices are mainly affected by two major factors, which are;

religion and belief system. Most of them are Muslims, and hence, they do not take alcohol. Their
HIGH-RISK NUTRITIONAL PRACTICES 7

religious values have a great influence on their diets. For example, their religion prohibits the

consumption of meat from some animals. Most of the men are involved in the utilization of

tobacco. Arabic traditions and culture prohibit women from using tobacco. One of the major

problems associated with excessive utilization of tobacco is high blood pressure among the as

well as high risk of cancer.

HIGH-RISK NUTRITIONAL PRACTICES 8

References

Bennie, J. A., Pedisic, Z., van Uffelen, J. G., Gale, J., Banting, L. K., Vergeer, I., ... & Biddle, S.

J. (2015). The descriptive epidemiology of total physical activity, muscle-strengthening

exercises and sedentary behaviour among Australian adults–results from the National

Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. BMC Public Health, 16(1), 73.

Lee, J., & Lee, Y. (2015). The association of body image distortion with weight control

behaviours, diet behaviours, physical activity, sadness, and suicidal ideation among

Korean high school students: a cross-sectional study. BMC public health, 16(1), 39.

Muchiri, J. W., Gericke, G. J., & Rheeder, P. (2016). Effect of a nutrition education programme

on clinical status and dietary behaviours of adults with type 2 diabetes in a resource-

limited setting in South Africa: a randomised controlled trial. Public health

nutrition, 19(1), 142-155.

Stacey, F. G., James, E. L., Chapman, K., Courneya, K. S., & Lubans, D. R. (2015). A

systematic review and meta-analysis of social cognitive theory-based physical activity

and nutrition behaviour change interventions for cancer survivors. Journal of Cancer

Survivorship, 9(2), 305-338.

Stang, J. S., & Stotmeister, B. (2017). Nutrition in adolescence. In the Nutrition Guide for

Physicians and Related Healthcare Professionals (pp. 29-39). Humana Press, Cham.

Trivedi, T., Liu, J., Probst, J., Merchant, A., Jhones, S., & Martin, A. B. (2015). Obesity and

obesity-related behaviours among rural and urban adults in the USA. Rural Remote

Health, 15(4), 3267.