Effect of Diet on Infant’s Health and Child’s Upbringing: The Islamic View Point

This paper examines the effect of diet on infant’s health and child upbringing from an Islamic perspective, using Nigeria as a case study. It examines how modern scientific research supports the health benefits prescribed in Islamic teachings, showcasing the alignment between religion and science regarding infant health and child’s development. The study also examines how adherence to Islamic dietary laws influences infant health, child development, and parenting practices as Islamic teachings emphasize balanced nutrition and proper child’s upbringing through breastfeeding, the weaning process, and the introduction of solid foods, as well as the moral and ethical responsibilities of parents in enhancing child’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development. The research employed a mixed-method approach which combine both qualitative and quantitative methods, thereby, a total of 506 participants were selected from Muslim-majority communities in Nigeria using stratified random sampling. Data were gathered through Questionnaires which were administered to 256 parents (fathers and mothers), 150 public health workers, and 100 individuals from the general public. The questionnaire captured demographic details, adherence to Islamic dietary guidelines, health outcomes in children, and parenting practices. Unstructured interviews were also conducted with Islamic scholars and nutritionists to gather qualitative data on the Islamic view of diet and child-rearing. In statistical analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square and regression analysis) were used to analyse the quantitative data. The statistical tests confirm that Islamic dietary practices positively impact infant’s health and child upbringing. The strong relationships found between breastfeeding and health outcomes suggest that integrating religious principles into public health policies could lead to improved child nutrition, developmental outcomes, and better parental engagement. The study concludes with policy recommendations to improve child’s health through diet-conscious parenting, informed by both religious and medical perspectives.