Religious Differences in the Quality of Life, Eating Pattern and Nutrient Intake among Selected Occupational Group in Rural Bangladesh

Abstract

Qualities of life and food intake behaviour among a selected group of rural primary
school teachers were investigated. The cross-sectional study aimed to relate religion on
the individual’s quality of life and his meal pattern. A total of 74 rural primary school
teachers were selected from among the two religious groups (Muslim and Hindu) through
two stage sampling procedure. Mean score obtained for quality of life by the Muslim
teachers was 392.05 ± 23.38 and for the Hindu teachers it was 379.24 ± 26.60, and the
difference between the groups was significant (P=0.031). Significantly lower intake of
calorie and protein by the Hindu teachers compared to the Muslim teachers (P<0.05) was
recorded. Habitual pattern of food intake shows no marked difference between the
groups. The Muslims were found to have intakes of meat, fish and eggs at higher
frequencies and Hindus were found of have higher frequency for intake of vegetables.
Religion plays a significant role influencing the quality of life but not the meal pattern.