American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 23, 956-969, Copyright © 1970 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc.

Fasting in Ethiopia

An Anthropological and Nutritional Study

¹ Professor of Social Anthropology, University of Stockholm, Sweden, Director of the Children's Nutrition Unit 1967-1968
² Nutritionist, M.Sc., Department of Nutrition, Uppsala University, Sweden

Through a combined anthropological and nutritional approach to the problem of fasting in Ethiopia, a discussion has been held of the cultural and social background as well as of the consequences of fasting on diet and nutritive value of the diet. The practice of fasting is based on a traditional theory of the nature of the world and of man, together with ideas concerning the symbolic value of food. The fasting diets, especially of the - to 3-year-old children, are significantly less adequate in calories and nutrients, except thiamin, niacin, and iron, than is the case during nonfasting periods.