Researchers in Tajikistan discovered that women eat less variety and fewer nutritious foods than men, even when living in the same house. The study involved 1,704 adults and found that cultural beliefs about gender roles are the main reason. Traditions that show respect to men and children during meals mean women often get fewer chances to eat meat and other healthy foods. The researchers combined surveys with interviews and photo stories to understand this problem better. These findings suggest that fixing hunger and poor nutrition in Tajikistan requires teaching both men and women about fair food sharing and equal respect at mealtimes.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether men and women in Tajikistan eat different amounts and types of food, and why these differences happen
  • Who participated: 1,704 adults from Khatlon Province in Tajikistan, studied as part of a larger food security survey in 2023. Researchers also talked to 52 people in smaller group and individual interviews to understand their experiences better
  • Key finding: Women ate significantly less variety of foods than men in the same households. Cultural traditions that prioritize men and children’s nutrition over women’s nutrition were the main reason for this unfair difference
  • What it means for you: If you live in a culture where gender roles affect food sharing, this research shows that changing these traditions could help women and girls get better nutrition. However, these findings are specific to Tajikistan and may not apply everywhere

The Research Details

This study used two types of research methods together. First, researchers surveyed 1,704 adults about what foods they ate and asked questions about their households and beliefs. Second, they talked to smaller groups of people in 12 focus groups, interviewed 19 people one-on-one, and had 21 people share their stories through photos and explanations. By combining numbers from surveys with real stories from people’s lives, the researchers could see both how big the problem was and understand why it was happening.

The researchers looked at whether gender predicted dietary diversity—meaning they checked if being a man or woman made a difference in what foods people ate. They also listened carefully to what people said about their family traditions, mealtimes, and beliefs about who deserves to eat certain foods.

Understanding why women eat less healthy food is important because it helps create better solutions. If researchers only looked at numbers, they might miss the cultural reasons behind the problem. By also listening to people’s stories, they discovered that gender norms and respect traditions are the real drivers of unfair food distribution. This means solutions need to change beliefs and behaviors, not just provide more food

This study is strong because it used a large sample size (1,704 people) and combined two research methods. The quantitative data gives reliable numbers, while the qualitative interviews explain the ‘why’ behind those numbers. The researchers used a recognized method called reflexive thematic analysis to organize the interview information fairly. However, the study only looked at one province in Tajikistan, so results may not apply to other regions or countries with different cultures

What the Results Show

The main finding was clear: women reported eating less dietary diversity than men, meaning they ate fewer types of foods. This difference existed even when men and women lived in the same household and had access to the same food. The research showed that gender was a strong predictor of what people ate—meaning knowing someone’s gender helped predict whether they would eat a variety of foods.

When researchers talked to people about why this happened, they found that cultural gender norms were the biggest reason. These norms are unwritten rules about how men and women should behave. In Khatlon Province, these norms meant that showing respect during meals involved giving men and children the best and most nutritious foods first, like meat. Women often ate what was left over.

Another important finding was that women had fewer chances to eat food outside their homes. Men more often ate meals at work, in social settings, or at community events where they could try different foods. Women’s roles kept them mostly at home, limiting their food choices. The study also found that people believed men and children needed more nutritious food than women, which wasn’t based on actual health needs but on cultural beliefs about gender roles.

The research revealed that intrahousehold hierarchy—the ranking of who is most important in a family—directly affected food distribution. Older family members and men had more power to decide who got which foods. The study found that mealtimes were important moments where these power differences showed up. Additionally, women’s own beliefs about their nutritional needs were lower than men’s, suggesting they had accepted these unfair norms as normal. The research also showed that multiple generations held these beliefs, meaning young people were learning the same gender norms from their parents

This study adds important new information because previous research in Tajikistan hadn’t specifically looked at how gender affects what people eat within households. While other studies have shown that Tajikistan has serious food insecurity and malnutrition problems, this is the first detailed look at how gender roles create unfair food distribution. The findings fit with research from other countries showing that cultural beliefs about gender affect nutrition, but this study provides specific evidence from Tajikistan that can guide local solutions

The study only looked at one province (Khatlon) in Tajikistan, so the findings may not apply to other regions with different cultures or economic situations. The research was done in 2023, so things may have changed. The qualitative interviews involved only 52 people, which is a small number compared to the 1,704 surveyed, so some experiences may not be fully represented. Additionally, the study didn’t look at whether these patterns were the same for all age groups of women or whether economic status made a difference. Finally, because this is observational research (watching what happens rather than testing an intervention), we can’t say for certain that gender norms cause the food differences, only that they’re connected

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, programs to reduce malnutrition in Tajikistan should focus on changing gender norms and beliefs about fair food distribution (high confidence). Communities should work with both men and women, and involve different age groups, to shift traditions about who deserves nutritious food (moderate to high confidence). Programs should specifically create more opportunities for women to eat outside the home and participate in community meals (moderate confidence). However, these recommendations are based on research from one region, so they should be adapted to fit local conditions. Anyone implementing these changes should work closely with community leaders and families to ensure changes are respectful and sustainable

This research matters most to people working on nutrition and food security in Tajikistan and similar countries with strong gender-based traditions. Government health officials, NGOs, and community health workers should use these findings to design better programs. Women and girls in Tajikistan should know that unequal food distribution is a recognized problem that experts are working to solve. Men and community leaders should understand that fair food sharing actually benefits everyone’s health. This research is less directly relevant to people in countries with different cultural norms around gender and food, though some lessons about how culture affects nutrition may apply broadly

Changing deep cultural beliefs takes time. Individual families might see improvements in women’s nutrition within a few months if they consciously change mealtimes and food sharing. However, community-wide changes in gender norms typically take 1-3 years to show measurable results in nutrition surveys. Long-term, sustainable improvements in women’s dietary diversity and health would likely take 5+ years of consistent effort involving education, community engagement, and support from leaders

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track the number of different food types eaten by each family member each day (aim for at least 5-7 different food groups daily). Compare men’s, women’s, and children’s dietary diversity scores weekly to identify and discuss any unfair patterns
  • Use the app to set a weekly goal where women eat at least one meal outside the home or try one new nutritious food that was previously reserved for men. Create family reminders for fair mealtimes where all family members, especially women, get first access to nutritious foods like meat, eggs, or legumes
  • Track dietary diversity scores monthly for each household member to see if the gap between men’s and women’s food variety is narrowing. Use the app’s family sharing feature to involve all household members in seeing these patterns and celebrating progress toward more equal food distribution

This research describes patterns in one region of Tajikistan and should not be used to make medical diagnoses or replace professional medical advice. If you or someone you know is experiencing malnutrition or food insecurity, please consult with a healthcare provider or contact local food assistance programs. The findings about gender norms are specific to Tajikistan’s culture and may not apply to other regions. This study shows associations between gender norms and food consumption but does not prove that changing norms will automatically improve health outcomes without other support. Anyone considering implementing nutrition programs based on this research should work with local health professionals and community leaders to ensure culturally appropriate and effective solutions.