International Council for Education, Research and Training

Effect of Diet on Infant’s Health and Child’s Upbringing: The Islamic View Point

Fayokemi, Adigun Wasilat

Department of Liberal Arts (Islamic Studies Unit), School of Humanities, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education,

Science and Technology, Ikere, Nigeria.

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of diet on infant’s health and child upbringing from an Islamic perspective, using Nigeria as a case study. It examines how modern scientific research supports the health benefits prescribed in Islamic teachings, showcasing the alignment between religion and science regarding infant health and child’s development. The study also examines how adherence to Islamic dietary laws influences infant health, child development, and parenting practices as Islamic teachings emphasize balanced nutrition and proper child’s upbringing through breastfeeding, the weaning process, and the introduction of solid foods, as well as the moral and ethical responsibilities of parents in enhancing child’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development. The research employed a mixed-method approach which combine both qualitative and quantitative methods, thereby, a total of 506 participants were selected from Muslim-majority communities in Nigeria using stratified random sampling. Data were gathered through Questionnaires which were administered to 256 parents (fathers and mothers), 150 public health workers, and 100 individuals from the general public. The questionnaire captured demographic details, adherence to Islamic dietary guidelines, health outcomes in children, and parenting practices. Unstructured interviews were also conducted with Islamic scholars and nutritionists to gather qualitative data on the Islamic view of diet and child-rearing. In statistical analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square and regression analysis) were used to analyses the quantitative data. The statistical tests confirm that Islamic dietary practices positively impact infant’s health and child upbringing. The strong relationships found between breastfeeding and health outcomes suggest that integrating religious principles into public health policies could lead to improved child nutrition, developmental outcomes, and better parental engagement. The study concludes with policy recommendations to improve child’s health through diet-conscious parenting, informed by both religious and medical perspectives.

Keywords: Diet, Infant’s health, Child upbringing, Islamic view point 

Impact Statement

The paper examines the effect of diet on infant’s health and child upbringing from an Islamic view point using Nigeria as a case study. It examines how modern scientific research supports the health benefits prescribed in Islamic teachings, showcasing the alignment between religion and science regarding infant health and child’s development. As Islamic teachings emphasize a holistic approach to raising children, balancing spiritual, moral, and practical aspects, children in Islam are seen as pure, valuable, and deserving of protection, love, and guidance. The collective responsibility of family and community in supporting child upbringing reflects the profound emphasis Islam places on the well-being and development of future generations. The strong relationships found between breastfeeding and health outcomes suggest that integrating religious principles into public health policies could lead to improved child nutrition, developmental outcomes, and better parental engagement. The study concludes with policy recommendations to improve child’s health through diet-conscious parenting, informed by both religious and medical perspectives.

About The Author

Dr Wasilat Fayokemi Adigun is currently an Associate Professor of Islamic Studies (Gender Studies, Islamic Education and Social Welfare) at the Department of Liberal Arts, School of Humanities, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere, Nigeria. She started her career at the defunct College of Education, Ikere Ekiti as an Instructor at the School of Languages after emerging as the best NCE graduating student of the School. She received her Bachelor of Arts Education Degree in Islamic Studies from Lagos State University, Ojoo, Nigeria with 2nd Class (Hons) Upper Division. She later proceeded to University of Ibadan where she obtained her Masters of Arts in Islamic Studies and Ph.D from the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan. She has been actively involved in research, teaching and training on Islamic Studies, education, social welfare and gender studies. Her research interests are in the area of Islamic Education, Islamic Social Welfare, Islamic Theology, Gender Studies, Islamic Ethics and Morality. She served as the Head of Department of Islamic Studies in 2018 to 2020. She is presently the Chairman, Research Committee of the School of Humanities and also member of the Research Team of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere (BOUESTI). She has conducted research and published articles in various areas of Gender Studies, Islamic education and social welfare and contemporary studies in both local and international journals. She is a fellow at International Institute for Muslim Unity (IIMU) and member of the International Council for Education, Research and Training (ICERT), and others. She received Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Global Educator Award-2022 for excellence in education, social welfare and contribution to education fraternity & society during the Indo-Global Education Summit (IGES-2022) on “Recent Transformations in Education, Health, Management, and Research” organized by International Council for Education, Research and Training (ICERT). 

References

      1. Adeola, O. (2019). Sociocultural factors affecting dietary habits in Nigeria. Journal of African Nutrition Studies, 5(2), 112–130.

      2. Akther, T. (2020). Child rearing practice in Islam. Clinics in Mother and Child Health, 17, 368.

      3. Al-Ghazali, A. (1993). Ihya ulum al-din. Dar al-Ma’arif.

      4. American Academy of Pediatrics [App]. (2022). Understanding infancy and early childhood. American Academy of Pediatrics (pp. 15–38).

      5. Anderson, M. A. (2001). The world book encyclopedia, 1. MI, Chicago.

      6. Arikpo, D., Edet, E. S., Chibuzor, M. T., Odey, F., Caldwell, D. M., & Meremikwu, M. M. (2018). Complementary feeding practices for infants and young children in developing countries. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 8, CD011768.

      7. Birch, L. L., & Anzman, S. L. (2010). Learning to eat in an obesogenic environment: A developmental systems perspective on childhood obesity. Child Development Perspectives, 4(2), 138–143. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1750-8606.2010.00132.x

      8. Black, R. E., Victora, C. G., Walker, S. P., Bhutta, Z. A., Christian, P., de Onis, M., Ezzati, M., Grantham-McGregor, S., Katz, J., Martorell, R., Uauy, R., & Maternal and Child Nutrition Study Group. (2013). Maternal and child undernutrition and overweight in low-income and middle-income countries. The Lancet, 382(9890), 427–451. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60937-X

      9. Bouhdiba, A. (1998). Islamic education: From the past to the present. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

      10. Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The Ecology of Human Development: Experiments by Nature and Design. Harvard University Press. https://doi.org/10.4159/9780674028845

      11. Sharma, G., Sharma, D., & Singh, S. (2024). Efficiency and performance of top Indian pharmaceutical firms: A comparative analysis. Edumania-An International Multidisciplinary Journal, 02(02), 165–174. https://doi.org/10.59231/edumania/9045

      12. Buettner, D. (2015). The blue zones solution: Eating and living like the World’s healthiest people. National Geographic.

      13. Campbel, T. C., & Campbell, T. M. (2006). The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, and Long-Term Health. BenBella Books.

      14. Cunningham, H. (2005). Children and childhood in Western society since 1500 (pp. 22–45). Pearson Longman.

      15. Goyal, G. (2024b). Gender, Borders and Boundaries in Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. Shodh Sari-An International Multidisciplinary Journal, 03(02), 276–288. https://doi.org/10.59231/sari7703

      16. Dewey, K. G., & Adu-Afarwuah, S. (2008). Systematic review of the efficacy and effectiveness of complementary feeding interventions in developing countries. Maternal and Child Nutrition, 4 (Suppl. 1), 24–85. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8709.2007.00124.x

      17. Erikson, E. (1950). Childhood and society. Norton, 219–239.

      18. Islamic dietary guidelines in promoting public health. (1783–1799). Journal of Religion and Health, 59(4).

      19. Keller, H. (2007). Cultures of infancy: Infant development in varying cultural contexts (pp. 67–83). Psychology Press.

      20. Child welfare information gateway. (2023). Legal definitions and protections for infants and young children. United States Department of Health and Human Services, 5–12.

      21. Levine, R. A., Levine, S., Dixon, S., Richman, A., Leiderman, P. H., Keefer, C. H., & Brazelton, T. B. (1994). Child care and culture: Lessons from Africa. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511720321

      22. Lévi-Strauss, C. (1969). The raw and the cooked: Introduction to a science of mythology. Harper & Row.

      23. Lucas, A., Morley, R., Cole, T. J., Lister, G., & Leeson-Payne, C. (1992). Breast milk and subsequent intelligence quotient in children born preterm. The Lancet, 339(8788), 261–264. https://doi.org/10.1016/0140-6736(92)91329-7

      24. Maccoby, E. E., & Martin, J. A. (1983). Socialization in the context of the family: Parent–child interaction. In P. H. Mussen (Ed.), Handbook of child psychology, 4 (pp. 1–101). John Wiley & Sons-Webster Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diet

      25. Ugagu, G. M. (2024). Assessment Of Health Knowledge, Practices and Risk Factors Associated with Intestinal Helminthes Among Students of Imo State Polytechnic, Omuma Oru East Local Government, Nigeria. Shodh Sari-An International Multidisciplinary Journal, 03(04), 294–307. https://doi.org/10.59231/sari7763

      26. Mohammadi, R., Khorrami-Nezhad, L., & Abbasi-Shavazi, M. (2020). Religion and health: The role of Islam Oxford dictionary (2003). https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/englishinfant_1

      27. Rahman, A. (2017). Islamic perspectives on child nutrition. International Journal of Islamic Health Studies, 3(1), 43–52.

      28. Saadeh, R., & Casanovas, C. (2009). Breastfeeding: The way forward. Public Health Nutrition, 12(3), 401–403.

      29. Saeed, A. (2015). Health and nutrition in Islam. Dar Al-Iman Press.

      30. Schweinhart, L. J., Montie, J., Xiang, Z. et al. (2005). Lifetime effects. SCOPE Perry Preschool study through age 40. High/Scope Press.

      31. Southhall, H. (1990). The new cookery encyclopedia, Machay’s of Chathan. Britain.

      32. Teicholz, N. (2014). The big fat surprise: Why butter, meat and cheese belong in a healthy Diet (pp. 1–479). Simon & Schuster.

      33. Ugbaja, J. I. (2006). Youth and Diet: The place of dietary fibre. Journal of Women in Colleges of Education (JOWICE), 10, 549–551.

      34. United Nations Children’s Fund. (2005). Children in Islam: Their care, upbringing and protection. Al-Azhar University.

      35. United Nations Children’s Fund. (2023). Convention on the Rights of the Child (pp. 14–27). United Nations.

      36. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). (2011). Gender Influences on Child Survival, Health and Nutrition: A Narrative Review. Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

      37. Victora, C. G., Bahl, R., Barros, A. J. D., França, G. V. A., Horton, S., Krasevec, J., Murch, S., Sankar, M. J., Walker, N., Rollins, N. C., & Lancet Breastfeeding Series Group. (2016). Breastfeeding in the 21st century: Epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. The Lancet, 387(10017), 475–490. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01024-7

      38. World Health Organization. (2021). Early childhood development and health (pp. 9–33). World Health Organization.

      39. Yahya, Y. (2017). Islamic parenting and discipline strategies: Bridging religion and psychology. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 11(2), 35–50.

Back

Contact​

Visit our main website www.icert.org.in

Copyright © 2024  International Council for Education, Research and Training  – All Rights Reserved.

Scroll to Top