A test of four evolutionary hypotheses of pregnancy food cravings: evidence for the social bargaining model

Abstract

The onset of cravings for items not typically desired is often considered a hallmark of pregnancy. Given the ubiquity of cravings, this phenomenon remains surprisingly understudied. The current study tested four hypotheses of pregnancy food cravings: behavioural immune system, nutrient seeking, resource scarcity and social bargaining. The research took place in Tamil Nadu, South India, with pregnant women residing in rural villages (N = 94). Methods included structured interviews and anthropometric measures. Findings revealed that unripe mango and unripe tamarind were the two most frequently mentioned food cravings among this population, but were not sufficiently supported by the a priori models. Results confirmed that the social bargaining model was the best explanation for the etic category of toxic/pathogenic food items, suggesting that pregnant women crave dangerous foods when experiencing heightened social pressures. Finally, toxicity/pathogenicity was a confounding factor for the nutrient seeking and resource scarcity models, calling into question the validity of these models in adverse environments. Overall, these findings present important implications for research on pregnancy food cravings, such that in resource-scarce and pathogen-dense environments, cravings might target teratogenic items that signal a need for increased social support.

The Psychology of Food Cravings: the Role of Food Deprivation

“…For example, when participants had to consume a nutritionally balanced, yet monotonous, liquid diet, they reported more food cravings than during a baseline period [18], and food craving could be induced by imagining their favorite food although participants were sated [16]. During pregnancy-a time during which the body needs more energy and certain nutrients than usual-it seems that the types of craved foods do not differ from usually craved foods [19,20], and even if women crave unusual, potentially harmful, foods or other substances, it seems that this is rather driven by social factors than by physiological needs [21]. Similar interpretations have been derived from perimenstrual (chocolate) cravings which, for example, do not disappear after menopause, making hormonal mechanisms unlikely [11].…”

Salt craving syndrome lead to hypertensive urgencies and rapid progression to end stage renal disease in destombes-rosai-dorfman disease: a case report and review of literature

“…15 Pregnancy related craving is sometimes considered a social function rather than a nutritional one. 8 In Thailand, a woman is considered pregnant if she starts to crave sour foods after she misses the normal time for her menstrual period. 16 Sometimes, it is a way to gain attention and help from the community towards their pregnancy and special need for care.…”

“…16 Sometimes, it is a way to gain attention and help from the community towards their pregnancy and special need for care. 17 Different cultures have different popular pregnancy cravings. 18 The pregnant women are encouraged to follow and satisfy their cravings to avoid occurrence of anomalies in the babies later.…”

“…17 Different cultures have different popular pregnancy cravings. 18 The pregnant women are encouraged to follow and satisfy their cravings to avoid occurrence of anomalies in the babies later. 19 It has different names according to the culture; it is called in the Arab world "Wahm", in Malta "Xewqa" and in Philippines "Lihi".…”

“…The reason might be to replace nutrients lost during morning sickness, or as a reflection of hormonal disturbance. 8 In 1965, Pierre-Paul Louis Lucien Destombes had reported in a manuscript, in French language, 4 cases suffered adenitis associated with hyperlipidaemia, which is considered the first description of the disease. [9][10][11] After four years, in 1969, Juan Rosai and Ronald Dorfman, who were both pathologists, published a manuscript describing sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy.…”