Nutritional Transition: A Qualitative Study on the Socio-Cultural Dynamics and Perceptions Associated with Food Practices Among the Angami Naga Tribe, Nagaland, India

Abstract

Food habits and food intake are changing on a global scale and pose a triple burden of obesity, malnutrition, and cardiovascular conditions among Indigenous people who experience high morbidity due to socio-economic and cultural circumstances. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the sociocultural dynamics and perceptions associated with food practices among the Angami Naga tribe of Nagaland. The local settings were investigated based on qualitative research, and data were collected from 57 participants across three focus group discussions. The population under research consists of voluntary participants from the Angami Naga tribe living in Kohima district, Nagaland, aged between 20 and 59 years. For this purpose, a semi-structured interview schedule was used, and recruitment continued until thematic saturation occurred. Both verbal and written consent were obtained, and the FGDs were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed. The data show that although the traditional diet consists of large amounts of rice, meat, and unique indigenous cuisines with very little use of oil, the population is experiencing a dramatic change towards the consumption of highly and ultra-processed foods because of the convenience of meals, growth in the market, availability, and lack of time. At the same time, many community members admit to deliberately changing their dietary habits to overcome certain health conditions, including weight problems. Despite the fading of food taboos and a change in dietary habits between generations, there is still a great emphasis on the cultural meaning of food, its identity function, and its importance for celebrations. The study concluded that the Angami tribe is struggling with the dual burden of malnutrition and emerging diseases related to modern lifestyles in an obesogenic environment. This highlights the necessity of culturally sensitive nutritional interventions that promote traditional healthy food practices and portion control. Future research should evaluate community-based, culturally tailored interventions and longitudinal dietary changes among Indigenous populations.