KULASTHREE MOM & NALLA KUTTY DAUGHTER: SOCIO-CULTURAL PATHWAYS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENABLERS OF OBESOGENIC BEHAVIOR AMONG MOTHER-DAUGHTER DYADS KERALA, INDIA

Abstract

Background: Kerala faces a paradox of high literacy with rising obesity, especially among women. Mother-daughter dyads are critical units for transgenerational transmission of obesogenic behavior.

Objective: To examine socio-cultural pathways and environmental enablers of obesogenic behavior among mother daughter dyads in three districts of Kerala

Methods: Exploratory sequential mixed-methods study. 120 mother-daughter dyads from Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Thrissur were classified into 4 BMI clusters. Data included surveys, in-depth interviews, reminiscence narratives, and ANGELO environmental audit of food and built domains . Six stakeholders were interviewed.

Results: Four pathways emerged: 1) Sedentariness-Inertia, 2) Academic-Stress-Eating, 3) Gendered PhysicalActivity  (PA)Restriction, and 4) Synchronized Food Consumption. Food and Built environments were rated “Poor” in TVM and Kochi, “Average-Poor” in Thrissur. Key enablers: Kulasthree food-as-care norms, Superhero Mom work stress, and Nalla Kutty academic pressure + PA taboos. Binge eating was 59.7% in daughters; emotional eating 74.3% in mothers. Dyadic Sedentary Index was highest in Kochi, OR=11.82, 95% CI.

Conclusion: Obesogenicity is structurally produced. Interventions must address ANGELO domains and reframe gendered cultural norms around food, work, and movement.