Author(s): Debahuti Puta

Abstract:
Cultural ideas and traditional practices have a significant impact on the nutritional knowledge and health awareness of teenage girls in Balangir District, where eating habits are often influenced by conventions passed down through generations. Many families have dietary taboos that prohibit females from eating particular nutrient-rich foods, such as specific fruits and vegetables, during menstruation or adolescence, believing that these foods may create health difficulties. Gender norms in homes may also prioritise males and boys for high-quality food, leaving girls with limited access to balanced meals. These culturally ingrained habits, along with insufficient formal nutrition instruction, lead to a lack of understanding of vital nutrients, anaemia prevention, menstrual cleanliness, and general health maintenance. One hundred teenage females in Balangir District, ages 10 to 19, will participate in a cross-sectional study to methodically investigate these factors. A purposive sampling approach will be employed to select participants, ensuring representation from diverse blocks, communities, and educational environments. A standardised questionnaire addressing cultural customs, eating habits, nutrition knowledge, cleanliness habits, and health-seeking behaviours will be used to gather data. The approach enables a thorough understanding of how cultural norms influence food choices and health consciousness, providing evidence for the development of culturally relevant treatments that can enhance the nutritional well-being of teenage girls in Balangir.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/23957476.2025.v11.i3f.2025