Food taboos and antiquated food beliefs and practices that have been passed on for generations have always been a great barrier to modifying eating behaviours or habits. Functional illiteracy related to malnutrition and the poor learning environment in rural settings and among disadvantaged urban groups are among the ecological factors that maintain the vicious cycle leading to malnutrition. In order to break this cycle, an effective means of continuously transferring information on sound nutrition is imperative. This information must be communicated to people with the aim of creating an understanding of its urgency and importance so that people will be convinced that new patterns and practices related to nutrition are in their own interest. The use of communication techniques to effect behavioural changes is by no means new.
Commercial advertising is a good case in point.
Those working in health or nutrition education may gain a great deal by examining such communication techniques and using any aspects that would be appropriate for their field. Health and nutrition educators must be guided by the understanding that communication is the art of giving a part of oneself to other people in such a way that they willingly accept this offering. Advances in communication technology have enabled us to speak with people around the globe. Very often, however, we see that we cannot even bridge the ever widening communication gaps within our own families. The challenging task is to find effective communication techniques for nutrition and health education.