Abstract
This article discusses the shift in Zimbabwe from the traditionally broad and diversified diet, consisting of a variety of wild plants and animals, to the current diet, based on a few cash crops. The narrowing of the food base is not only problematic in terms of nutrition but has been increasing vulnerability to weather-related food shortages. Zimbabweans are aware of these risks and conclude that the lack of sufficient and healthy nutrition triggers the development of full-blown AIDS in the bodies of HIV positive individuals. In other words, HIV/AIDS is a result of food shortages, at least to some extent. Such views are encouraged by media reports arguing that AIDS is not triggered by HIV but by malnourishment. Food shortages are, according to informants, aggravated by the desperate political situation in the country. The extent of the AIDS epidemic is explained through the political context in which food shortages occur. This article also highlights the importance of integrating cultural understandings of food and nutrition into programs aiming at raising awareness of the AIDS epidemic, preventing new HIV infections, and improving care for those suffering of the disease.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 219-237 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| Journal | Annals of Anthropological Practice |
| Volume | 35 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2011 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Anthropology
Cite this
"Aids is inthe food" : Zimbabwean s ' association betwe en nutrition and HIV/AIDS and their pote ntial for add ressing food insecurity and HIV/AIDS. / Rödlach, Alexander.
In: Annals of Anthropological Practice, Vol. 35, No. 1, 2011, p. 219-237.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - "Aids is inthe food"
T2 - Zimbabwean s ' association betwe en nutrition and HIV/AIDS and their pote ntial for add ressing food insecurity and HIV/AIDS
AU - Rödlach, Alexander
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - This article discusses the shift in Zimbabwe from the traditionally broad and diversified diet, consisting of a variety of wild plants and animals, to the current diet, based on a few cash crops. The narrowing of the food base is not only problematic in terms of nutrition but has been increasing vulnerability to weather-related food shortages. Zimbabweans are aware of these risks and conclude that the lack of sufficient and healthy nutrition triggers the development of full-blown AIDS in the bodies of HIV positive individuals. In other words, HIV/AIDS is a result of food shortages, at least to some extent. Such views are encouraged by media reports arguing that AIDS is not triggered by HIV but by malnourishment. Food shortages are, according to informants, aggravated by the desperate political situation in the country. The extent of the AIDS epidemic is explained through the political context in which food shortages occur. This article also highlights the importance of integrating cultural understandings of food and nutrition into programs aiming at raising awareness of the AIDS epidemic, preventing new HIV infections, and improving care for those suffering of the disease.
AB - This article discusses the shift in Zimbabwe from the traditionally broad and diversified diet, consisting of a variety of wild plants and animals, to the current diet, based on a few cash crops. The narrowing of the food base is not only problematic in terms of nutrition but has been increasing vulnerability to weather-related food shortages. Zimbabweans are aware of these risks and conclude that the lack of sufficient and healthy nutrition triggers the development of full-blown AIDS in the bodies of HIV positive individuals. In other words, HIV/AIDS is a result of food shortages, at least to some extent. Such views are encouraged by media reports arguing that AIDS is not triggered by HIV but by malnourishment. Food shortages are, according to informants, aggravated by the desperate political situation in the country. The extent of the AIDS epidemic is explained through the political context in which food shortages occur. This article also highlights the importance of integrating cultural understandings of food and nutrition into programs aiming at raising awareness of the AIDS epidemic, preventing new HIV infections, and improving care for those suffering of the disease.
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U2 - 10.1111/j.2153-9588.2011.01076.x
DO - 10.1111/j.2153-9588.2011.01076.x
M3 - Article
VL - 35
SP - 219
EP - 237
JO - Annals of Anthropological Practice
JF - Annals of Anthropological Practice
SN - 2153-957X
IS - 1
ER -