Machetanz, Sara. 1961. The Howl of the Malemute. William Sloane Associates, New York. pp. 204.

Mack, Pauline Beery, Janice M. Smith, Catherine H. Logan, Anna T. O'Brien. 1942. Mass studies in human nutrition: Nutritional status of children in a college Community. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 18(2): 69-78.

MacKeown, J.M., M. Faber. 2002. Urbanisation and cariogenic food habits among 4-24-month-old Black South Africa children in rural and urban areas. Public health Nutrition 5(6): 719-726.

Mackinnon, C.F. 1955. Changing food habits- The dietitians dilemma. Journal of the American dietetic Association 31: 566.

Macrae, T.F. 1948. Psychological factors in mass feeding. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 24(2): 126.

Macy, Icie G. 1944. Feeding school children to meet chemical needs. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 20(October): 602-604.

Magnuson, Jermaine. China Diary.

Madeira, K. 1988. Some aspects of sensory properties of food that relate to food habits and associated problems of elderly consumers. Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly. 8(4): 3-24.

Mahias, Marie-Claude. 1988. Milk and its transmutations in Indian society. Food and Foodways 2(3): 265.

Mallery, G. 1888. Manners and Meals. American Anthropologist 1: 193.

Food Custom, Law, Social Dinner, Etiquett, Food Habit

Malo-Juvera, D., L. Boykin. 1975Apr/June. La Marqueta: a food habits learning experience. Journal of Nutrition Education 7(2): 58-59.

Malthus, T., J. Huxley, and F. Osborn. 1960-. Three Essays "On Population". New American Library.

Manderson, L. and M. Mathews. 1981. Vietnamese behavioral and dietary precautions during pregnancy. Ecology of Food and Nutrition 11: 1.

Mangelsdorf, Paul C., Richard S. macNeish and Walton C. Galinut. 1964. Domestication of Corn. Science 143: 538-545.

Maraini, Fosco. 1960. Meeting with Japan. Viking Press, New York, pp. 467.

March, Kathryn. 1987. Hospitality, Women, and the Efficacy of beer. Food and FoodWays 1(4): 351.

Marcus, Joyce. 1987. Prehistoric fishermen in the Kingdom of Huarco. American Scientist 75(4): 393.

Mars, Leonard. 1997. Food and disharmony: Commensality among jews. Food and Foodways 7(3): 189.

Marsh, Dorothy B., 1964. Good Housekeeping International Cookbook. The Hearst Corporation.

Mascarenhas, Clovis Crus. 1945. Nutrition in Brazil. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 21(1): 11-12.

Maslow, Abraham. 1962. Toward a Psychology Being. Insight Book, Van Nostrand, New York, pp. 214.

Maslow, A.H. 1970. Motivation and Personality. Harper & Row, New York.

Mason, Gladys l. 1938. Current Comment: A study of recipes in allergy diets. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 14(8): 646-648.

Mason, Gregory. 1936. Native American Food. Natural History 37: 309-318.

Massieu, Guillermo H., G. Jesus Gusman, Rene O. Cravioto, Jose Calvo de la T. 1951. Nutritive value of some primitive Mexican foods. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 27(3): 212-214.

Mata, L.J., J.J. Urrutia, A. Lechtig. 1971. Infection and nutrition of children of a low socioeconomic rural community. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 24(2): 249.

McKenzie, J.C. 1977Dec. Potential for change in food habits in the United Kingdom population. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 36(3): 317-323.

Abstract: Food habits will be changing over the next few years, and_ the potential exists for influencing change in the_ interests of better health and nutrition. Basic rules or_ guidelines which have developed over the years and now_ appear to be necessary for influencing changes in_ consumers are listed. Some examples of detailed_ examinations of consumer behavior are given. Three_ underlying themes of direct relevance to future food patterns are stated. Tables and diagrams provide related_ data and information __

Matalas, Antonia-Leda and Louis E. Grivetti. 1994. The diet of nineteenth-century Greek Sailors: An analysis of the log of the Konstantinos. Food & Foodways 5(4):353.

Matson, R.G. 1992September 11.

The Origins of Southwestern Agriculture. University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 356 pages, illus. This is a review of a book which looks at the origins of prehistoric and historic agriculture in the Southwest.

Mayes, Vernon-O.; Lacy, Barbara-Bayless.; Ahasteen, Jack.; Chee, Jason. 1989. Nanise, a Navajo herbal : one hundred plants from the Navajo Reservation. Tsaile, Ariz. : Navajo Community College Press, 1989. viii, 153 p. : ill. (some col.)

Maynard, Leonard A. 1952. Some world nutritional problems. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 28(2): 109-112.

Marcus, Joyce. 1987July-August. Prehistoric fishermen in the Kingdom of Huarco. American Scientist 75: 393.

Mason, J.A. 1961. Ancient Civilizations of Peru. Pelican.

Masouka, Jitswichi. 1945. Changing food habits of the Japanese in Hawaii. Am. Soc. Rev. 10: 759-765.

Massie, R.K. 1967. Nicholas and Alexandra. Athenum.

Mattson, Howard W. 1985November. Potted, pickled, and ill-preserved. Science of food and Agriculure :2.

May, J.M. 1957. The geography of food and cooking. Int. Record Med. 170: 231.

Mayer, Albert. 1958. Pilot Project, India. The Story of Rural Development at Etawah, Uttar Pradesh. University of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angels, pp. 367.

Mayer, Jean. 1973. U.S. Nutrition Policies in the Seventies. W.H. Freeman and Company, SanFrancisco, pp. 256.

McAuley, M.Faith. 1944. Indiana University meets the needs of the army and navy feeding programs. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 20(3): 140-143.

McCance, R.A. and E.M. Widdowson. [no date given, about 1956]. Breads, White and Brown. J.B. Lippincott and Co., Philadelphia, PA.

McCarrison, R. 1921. Studies in Deficiency Diseases. Oxford University Press, New York.

McCay, C.M. 1939Ocrtober. Seven centuries of scientific nutrition. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 15: 648.

McClendon, J.F. 1939. Iodine and the Incidence of Goiter. The University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, London, Humphrey Milford, Oxford Un iversity Press, pp. 126.

McCarthy, M.E., J.H. Sabry. 1973July/Sept. Canadian university students' nutrition misconceptions.__ Journal of nutrition education 5(3): 193-196.

McCay, C.M. 1939. Seven centuries of scientific nutrition. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 15(8): 648-658.

McCay, C.M. 1941. Diet and aging. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 17(6): 540-545.

McColllum, E.V. 1918. The Newer Knowledge of Nutrition. Macmillan, New York.

McCollum, E.V. 1957. A History of Nutrition. Houghton-Mifflin, Boston.

McCollum, E.V. 1964. From Kansas Farm Boy to Scientist. An Autobiography. Univ. of Kansas Press, Lawrence.

McGregor, James. 1991May31. Waiter, There's A rat in my soup, and it's delicious. The Wall Street Journal.

Excerpts: The Cantonese people of south China are legendary for eating anything that moves-and some things that are still moving. The food market here features cats, raccoons, owls, dovesalong with bear and tiger's paw, dried deer penis and decomposed skeletons.

Now, this rich culinary tradition, along with rising disposable income in this most prosperous city in China, has inspired kitchen utensil salesman Zhang Guoxun to open what is believed to be China's first restaurant dedicated to serving rat.

That's right: Rat, Rat with Chestnut and Duck, Lemon Deep Fried Rat, satayed Rat Slices with Vermicelli. In fact, the menu lists 30 different rat dishes, even including Liquored Rat Flambe, along with more mundane dishes such as Hot Pepper Silkworm, Racoon With Winter Melon and Sliced Snake and Celery. And in the six months since the doors opened, customers have been scampering in at all hours to the euphemistically named Jialu (Super Deer) Restaurant.

McIntosh, Susan Keech and Roderick J. McIntosh. 1981November-December. West African Prehistory. American Scientist 69: 602

Archaeological studies in recent decades have illuminated the prehistory of this vast region, revealing unexpected complexity in its development from 10,000 B.C. to a.D. 1000.

McIntosh, Wm. Alex and Mary Zey. 1989. Womenb as gatekeepers of food consumption. A sociological critique. Food and Foodways 3(4): 317.

McKenzie, J. 1981. The potential contribution of commercial market research to developing an understanding of food habits and the consumer. Preventive Nutrition and Society p. 139-146.

McKenzie, J.C. 1977December. Potential for change in food habits in the United Kingdom population. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 36(3): 317-323.

McLaren, D. [Ed.]. 1976. Nutrition in the Community, Wiley.

McLester, James S. 1938. The more abundant diet. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 14(1): 1-7.

McMillan, thelma J., E. Neige Todhunter. 1946. Ascorbic acid content of lunches served at school. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 22(5): 404-407.

McMillen, Wheeler. 1961. Land of Plenty. The American Farm Story. Holt, Rinehart, Winston, New York.

McWatters, K.H. and B.B. Brantley. 1982January. Characteristics of Akara prepared from cowpea paste and meal. Food Technology :66.

Mead, Margaret. 1943. Dietary patterns and food habits. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 19(1):1-5.

Mead, M., Ed. 1953. Cultural Patterns and Technical Change. UNESCO, Paris.

Mead, M. 1943. Factors of food habits. Ann. Amer. Acad. Pol. Sci. Soc. 225: 136.

Mead, Margaret [Ed.]. 1953. Cultural Patterns and Technical Change. A manual prepared by the World Federation for Mental Health, United Nations. pp. 348.

Mead. 1949. Male & Female. Morrow.

Mead, Margaret. 1959. An Anthropologist at Work: Writings of Ruth Benedict. Houghton-Mifflin, boston. pp. 583.

Mehra, K.L. 1973 Jan/Feb. Milk and milk products in Vedic age. Gosamvardhana 20(10/11): 42-43.

Meigs, Anna. 1988. Food as a cultural construction. Food and Foodways 2(4): 341.

Meiselman, H.L. 1988. Consumer studies of food habits. IN Sensory analysis of foods/ edited by J.R. Piggott. 2nd ed. London: Elsevier Applied Science, p. 267-334.

Melikian, K. Cyprus and Lloyd K. Rudd. 1961. The Wonder of Food. Appleton-Century-Crofts. pp. 246.

Mellen, Kathleen Dickenson. 1947. In A Hawaiian Valley. Hastings House, New York, pp. 125.

Melvin, A.G. 1956. Mexican Guide Book. Ottenheimer.

Memmott, Mark. 2002December 20-22. Winter looms as next test. USA Today pp. 1A

Mennell, S. 1985. All Manner of Foods. Chapter . Introduction. Oxford, Blackwell.

Mennell, S, Murcott, A and van Otterloo, A 1992. The Sociology of Food: Eating, Diet and Culture. (Chapter 1 - Introduction: Significance and Theoretical Orientations) London: Sage.

Merrill, E.D. 1954. The Botany of Cook's Voyages and Its Unexpected Significance in Relation to anthropology, Biogeography and History. Chronica Botanica company, Waltham, Mass.

Merrill, Grace V. 1940. A woman behind it-the dining service of a great railroad. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 16: 124-128.

Merrill, Grace. 1947. Railroad food service. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 23(10): 869.

Merritt, Katharine K. 1938. Feeding the normal infant and child. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 14(4): 264-268.

Mertens, Alice. ~1965. Children of the Kalahari. Collin's St. James Place, London.

Meyer-Renschhausen, Elisabeth. 1991. The Porridge debate: grain, nutrition, and forgotten food preparation techniques. Changing Food Habits: Case Studies From Africa, South America, And Europe. Food and Foodways. 5(1): 95

Meyer-Rochow, V.B. 1973June. Edible insects in three different ethnic groups of Papua and New Guinea. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 26: 673-677.

Michener, James A. 1959. Hawaii. Random House, New York, pp. 1880.

Milam, D.F., Mary Parks Bell. 1946. Sources of principal nutrients in the diet of a North Carolina Village population. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 22(5): 411-414.

Millan, R. Gegura. 1942. Current Comment: Dietary conditions in some Mexican rural communities. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 18(8): 521-522

Millen, J.W. 1962. The Nutritional Basis of reproduction. Charles Thomas and Co.

Miller, Carey D. 1947. Foods and food habits in the Hawaiian Islands. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 23(9): 766-768.

Milikian, C. and L.K. Rudd. 1961. The Wonder of Food. Appleton-Century-Crofts, Inc., New York.

Millikan, Max F. and David Hapgood. 1968. No Easy Harvest. Little, Brown and Company, pp. 178.

Mills, E.R. 1977Apr./June. Psychosocial aspects of food habits. Journal of Nutrition Education 9(2): 67-68.

__Abstract: Extract: As part of a college class studying the_ psychosocial aspects of food habits, students learned to_ understand their own food habits, those of their family,_ and the attitudes and values surrounding these habits._ Lewin's projective questionnaire, "Group Test for_ Determining Anchorage Points of Food Habits," interviews_ and short essays focused each student's attention on_ personal habits regarding food selection and eating_ patterns. These patterns were seen in the larger_ contexts of the family and the lifestyle of the_ individual. Such insights provided the students with a_ better understanding of how to modify behavior_ successfully to improve their diets and those of others.__

Milner, Max [ed.]. 1969. Protein-enriched cereal for world needs. American Association Cereal Chemists.

Milton, Katharine. 1993August. Diet and primate evolution. Scientific American :86.

Miniturn, Leigh and W.W. Lambert, 1974. Mothers of Six Cultures. Wiley, pp. 351.

Minnesota...In Pictures. 1946. Minnesota Historical Society, Webb Publishers, St. Paul. pp. 58.

Mintz, Sidney. 1987. Introduction Author's rejoinder. Symposium Review on "Sweetness and Power". Food and Foodways 2(2): 171.

Mintz, Sidney. 1989. Cuisine and haute cuisine: how are they linked? SYMPOSIUM REVIEW ON "Cooking, cuisine and class". Food and Foodways 3(3): 185-190.

Mintz, Sidney Editor. 1987. Symposium Review on "Sweetness and Power". Food and Foodways 2(2): 107-108.

Mitchell, Helen S. 1930. Nutrition survey in Labrador and Northern Newfoundland. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 6(1): 29-35.

Mitchell, Helen S. 1935. Practical dietary studies conducted by college students in nutrition. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 12(1): 28-32.

Mitchell, Helen S. 1936. Current Comment: Impressions of Russia in 1935. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 12(2): 155-157.

Mitchell, Helen S. 1941. Food facts and fads. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 17(7): 667-670.

Mitchell, Helen S., Natalie F. Joffe. 1944. Food patterns of some European countries: Background for study programs and guidance of relief workers. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 20(November): 676-687.

Mitchell, Janet. 2006April. Food acceptance and acculturation. Foodservice Research International. 17(2): 77-83.

Despite the notion held by many British people that 'sausages and your joint of beef or your traditional meat and two vegetables or stews, pies that sort of thing' represents typical British food, it appears that new dishes are replacing the old. A list of the nation's 10 favourite dishes based on a survey conducted in 2003 by the British Broadcasting Corporation revealed spaghetti Bolognese, and curry and rice as the nation's two favourite dishes. This paper questions how these dishes have become mainstream British dishes. The study relates immigration to changes in British food choices by examining popular 20th century cookbooks and relating the incorporation of new dishes to changes in the ethnicity of the British population brought about by immigration. The results reveal the importance of meal structure in acceptance and popularization of immigrant foods by the host population. It reveals acculturation as a two-way process that has contributed to the evolution of British food habits.

Mitchell, Katherine. 1936. China as a dietitian sees it. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 12(2): 121-129.

Monjonnier, M.L., Y. Hall, D.M. Berkson, E. Robinson, B. Wethers, B. Pannbacker, D. Moss, E. Pardo, J. Stamler, R.B. Shekelle, W. Raynor. 1980Aug. Experience in changing food habits of hyperlipidemic men and women. Journal of the American dietetic Association 77(2): 140-148

Abstract: To test the effectiveness of teaching methods on_ dietary behavior change, the Nutrition Education Project_ was set up to develop and test basic materials, to_ develop a method of estimating dietary adherence, and to_ develop a training program for individuals in nutrition_ counseling. Participants in 3 study centers were_ assigned to 1 of 5 groups; self, group, or individual_ teaching; a combination of these; or referral to_ personal physicians for follow up. Effectiveness of_ method was assessed by changes in serum cholesterol_ values, nutrient intake, and score changes on the_ Nutrition Information Quiz. The Diet Achievement Score_ was developed as a simple method of evaluating dietary_ changes and as a teaching tool. Nutrition aides were_ trained under supervision of health professionals._ Results at the end of 6-9 months showed that the Special_ Care groups (the first 4 groups) showed significant_ dietary improvement, consistent for all 4 testing_ methods. The scoring method proved very helpful, as did_ the nutrition aides.__

Montagu, Ashley. 1969. Man: His First Two Million Years - A Brief Introduction to Anthropology. Dell Publishing, New York.

Montero, P., C. Bernis, C. Varea, S. Arias. 2000Jan. Lifetime dietary change and its relation to increase in weight in Spanish women. International journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders: Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity 24(1): 14-19.

INTRODUCTION: Changes in dietary patterns and a decrease in_ physical activity have occurred in Western countries._ These are factors in the variation in body composition_ observed in populations, characterized by a progressive_ accumulation of fat with age and a consequent increase_ in the risk of suffering from common chronic illnesses_ such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and cancer._ OBJECTIVE: To investigate weight gain throughout the_ life-cycle and its relation to modifications in dietary_ patterns, analyzing the causes of these modifications_ and their implications for patterns of adult overweight_ and obesity. DESIGN: Cross-sectional sample of Spanish_ women from a socio-economically disadvantaged class._ SUBJECTS: 1037 healthy perimenopausal women (age: 45-65_ y). MEASUREMENTS: Juvenile body mass index (BMI),_ current BMI, food frequency questionnaire, retrospective_ food habits. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Of these women,_ 48.8% had changed their dietary habits during their_ lifetime. A change in diet due to migration or marriage_ occurred at approximately 20 years of age and was_ characterized by an increased frequency of consumption_ of foods rich in protein and complex carbohydrates,_ while a change due to illness occurred at around 50_ years of age and was characterized by a decrease in the_ consumption of these types of food. The change in_ dietary behavior due to migration was associated with_ weight gain. Weight gain was also inversely associated_ with BMI during youth; women who in their youth had a_ BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 gained an average of 21.4 kg, compared_ with those with a BMI > 27 kg/m2 in their youth, who_ gained an average of 5.4 kg.__

Montoya, B. 1973June. Catching the ethnic flavor.__ Food and nutrition 3 (3): 12-15

Moore, Alma Chestnut. 1960. The Grasses-Earth's Green Wealth. The Macmillan Company, New York.

Moore, C. Margaret, Maud Bomar Purdy, E. Janis Gibbens, Martha E. Hollinger, Grace Goldsmith. 1947. Food habits of women during pregnancy. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 23(10): 847-853.

Moore, H.B. 1952. Psychologic facts and dietary fancies. J. Amer. Diet. Assoc. 28: 789.

Moore, Norman S., Charles R. Shaw. 1951. Nutritional status survey, Groton Township, New York. V. Physical findings. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 27(2): 94-97.

Moreno-Black, Geraldine. 1999. Cooking Up Change: Transforming Diets in a Rural Thai Village. Presented At The Symposium.

Moreno-Black, G. (1994). Gathered Food and Culture Change: Traditions in Transition in Northeastern Thailand. Journal Home and Consumer Hort.. 1( (2/3), 93-107.

Moreno-Black, G., P. Somnasang, and S. Thamathawan. (1996a). Cultivating Continuity and Creating Change: Women's Garden Practices in Northeastern Thailand. Agriculture and Human Values, 13(3), 3-12.

Moreno-Black, G. (1996b). Nondomesticated Food Resources in The Marketplace and Marketing System of Northeastern Thailand. Joumal of Ethnobiology, 16(l), 101-116.

Morris, Brian. 1994. Animals as meat and meat as food: reflections on meat eating in Souther Malawi. Food and Foodways 6(1): 19.

Morris, Ena M. 1948. Eight centuries of Anglo-Saxon pies. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 24(8): 661-665.

Morris, Margaret M. 1944. Current Comment: War food administration aids school lunches. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 20(2): 97-100.

Morzkowska, Marie, Laura McLaughlin. 1928. Polish Food Habits. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 4(3): 142-148.

Moskowitz, Howard R. 1980Winter. Psychometric evaluation of food preferences. Journal of food service systems. 1(2): 149-167.

Abstract: Food preferences are individualistic, influenced_ socially, psychologically, and physically, and tend to_ change with time, making food preference evaluations a_ complex subject. The traditional measurement is the 9_ Point Hedonic Scale, varying from "Like Extremely" to_ "Dislike Extremely". Panelists usually avoid these_ extremes, however, and pick the middle range. This_ rating method is only part of food acceptability. A more_ comprehensive picture should also consider the Food_ Action Scale ("Eat Every Opportunity", "Eat if Forced",_ etc.), the Magnitude Estimation scale (ratio or_ comparison scaling), frequency scales, time-preference_ analysis, and food combination analysis. Also of_ interest is whether people actually eat what they say they prefer and how much impact acculturation has on_ food habits.__

Motley, Ruby. 1946. Bataan and its aftermath. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 22(3): 201-205.

Moyer, Elsie Z., Eliot F. Beach, Abner Robinson, Margaret N. Coryell, Sol Miller, Charlotte Roderuck, Marjorie Lesher, Icie G. Macy. 1948. Nutritional status of children. II. The Organization of a survey of child-caring agencies. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 24(2): 85 - 90.

Mudge, Gertrude Gates. 1925Dec. A comparative study of Italian, Polish and Negro Dietaries. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 1(4): 166-173.

Mugrditchian, Helen Wadsworth. 1954. Current Comment: Food and eating habits in Lebanon. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 30(1): 48-50.

Munsell, Hazel E. 1944. Food and nutrition problems in Puerto Rico. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 20(5): 305-307.

Murai, Mary M. 1954. Current Comment: Food patterns in the Caroline and Marshall Islands. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 30(2): 154-158.

Murcott, Anne. 1993. Talking of good food: an empirical study of women's conceptualizations. Food and Foodways 5(3): 305.

Murcott, Anne. 1982May/June. One man's meat. Nutrition and Food Science 76: 2-4.

Murphey, Rhoads. 1988. Provisioning Istanbul: The State And Subsistence In The Early Modrn Middle East. Food and Foodways 2(3): 217.

Murray, M.J., Anne B Murray, C.J. Murray. 1980March. An ecological interdependence of diet and disease? A study of infection in one tribe consuming two different diets. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 33(3): 697-701.

Abstract: A study of infection in nomadic tribesmen living_ in the same geographic area of Kenya but eating two different_ diets examined the potential interrelationship between_ diet and disease resistance. One group consumed milk_ only and the other ate a combination of milk and fish._ The only significant nutritional difference between both_ groups was mild iron deficiency in tribesmen fed_ exclusively on milk. Findings suggest that fish-eaters_ were more susceptible to malaria, brucellosis, diarrhea,_ molluscum contagiosum and wart infections than were milk_ drinkers. Variation in host resistance may be due to_ differences in micronutrients in the two diets or may_ reflect a disruption of an ecological compatibility_ between the traditional all-milk diet of these tribesmen_ and their natural pathogens. Fish eating is a recent_ food habit in this tribe and physiological adaptation to_ this new diet may be a factor in host resistance to_ infection.__

Musaiger, A.O. 1996. Food habits of mothers and children in two regions of Oman. Nutrition and Health (Berkhamsted, England) 11(1): 29-48.

__Abstract: Several rapid assessment surveys were carried out during_ the period 1988-1991 to determine the food habit of_ preschool children, adolescent girls and mothers in_ Muscat (the capital) and southern region in Oman. Data_ were collected from health centers, hospitals and_ households. There have been differences in dietary_ habits between the people in the two regions. These_ differences were more evident in breastfeeding_ practices, meal patterns of adolescent girls and food_ frequency intake of mothers. Geographical location,_ occupation of inhabitants, cultural and ethnic factors_ may be responsible for the variation in dietary habits_ between the two regions. Several unsound food practices_ during pregnancy and puerperium were reported in both_ regions. In general, dietary patterns of mothers and_ children have changed dramatically during the past two_ decades. Duration of breastfeeding has declined and_ infant formula as well as commercial weaning foods were_ introduced at an early time of infants' lives. The trend_ of consumption of food for infants, adolescent girls and_ mothers is in the direction of unhealthier eating_ habits, as foods rich in fat, cholesterol, refined sugar_ and salt are commonly consumed. This food pattern may_ contribute to diet-related chronic diseases such as_ obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and_ dental caries. A nutrition education programme to_ promote a healthy diet and to correct unsound food_ beliefs and habits is urgently needed._

Musaiger, A.O. 1994. Nutritional status and dietary habits of adolescent girls in Oman. Ecology of Food and Nutrition 31(3/4): 227-237.

Abstract: Weight, height, and dietary patterns were obtained from 683_ adolescent girls aged 11 to 18 years in five_ geographical regions of the Sultanate of Oman. Using_ body mass index (Wt/Ht2) of NHANESI as a reference for_ adolescence, the prevalence of under-weight among these_ girls was relatively high (24%). However the_ nutritional status improved with age. Twelve percent of_ these girls were overweight or obese. Breakfast was_ frequently skipped (21%) by adolescent girls compared to_ lunch (6%) and supper (9.5%). Older (15-18 years) as_ well as overweight girls were more likely to skip_ breakfast than younger (11-14 years), normal and_ underweight girls. Nutritional status and age of girls_ were significantly associated with some foods consumed_ at main meals and snacking time. The pattern of skipping_ breakfast and the snacking habits of Omani adolescents_ was similar to that of their counterparts in Western_ communities. This suggests a change in dietary habits_ toward those practiced in Western communities, a change_ that may explain in part the steady rise in diet-related_ chronic diseases in this country. It is imperative that_ nutrition intervention programmes should therefore_ consider such alteration in food habits._