Field anthropological research for context-effective risk analysis science in traditional cultures: the case of Senegal

Abstract

Background Nutritional homeostasis and health are increasingly affected by rapid nutrition transition, rapidly changing (food producing) environments and lifestyles, and increasing global formal and informal markets of consumer products. Toxicological risk factors are currently poorly focused in sub-Sahara Africa. Whereas important differences exist amongst countries, Senegal exemplifies the general trend. Focusing on Senegal, this work aims to build a translational framework for context-effective risk analysis science in traditional cultures by i) highlighting main aspects of eating and producing, with focus on savannah areas and pastoral systems, and analyzing their impact on socio-economic development, ii) analyzing people’s preparedness and proactivity, as well as channels and tools for prevention, and iii) discussing reasons of widespread demand of external education on diet and healthy foods. Methods Participant observation in field anthropological research focused on food culture, consumer products and food systems in urban, semi-urban and rural settings. The system was stimulated with seminal messages on toxicological risk factors for healthy pregnancy and progeny’s healthy adulthood disseminated in counselling centres and women’s associations. Results Communities were unprepared against rapidly increasing exposure to toxicological risk factors but proactive (eg, midwifes) towards empowerment on healthy habits and good practices. Anthropological and ecological approaches can leverage the risk analysis science by working with identified enablers and barriers, channels and tools, traditional diet and local food chains. External efforts for local socio-economic development may have been limited so far by poor understanding of pastoral cultural roots. Conclusions With the globalization of culture and products, the mechanisms underlying the developmental origin of health and diseases at individual level correspond to a new strategy at population level that requires a decrease in childbirth and aspiration to next generation’s better health and healthy life expectancy. This biocultural adaptation offers Africa the framework for focusing on the prevention of new (transgenerational) health risk factors and recovering local food chains and culture, and requires global ethics and advocacy in the global formal and informal markets.