The Odd Tradition Of Force-feeding Exposed

Leblouh is a tradition mostly practised in Mauritania, although it is also practised on a smaller scale across rural northern Africa.

It involves force-feeding women and girls as young as five large quantities of high-fat foods such as camel milk and butter. Leblouh affects over of women and girls in rural regions of Mauritania.

This usually takes place in fattening “camps” where young girls are managed by older women who control their diet. Often, this also includes beatings and brutal physical punishments for not eating. In particular, the crushing of feet between wooden canes has been reported as a common punishment.

Sourced from TalkAfricana

The rapid weight gain brought on by these young girls consuming up to ten times their expected daily caloric intake has . The weight gain has led to a huge increase in diabetes, heart disease and other cardiovascular complications. In Mauritania alone, of cardiovascular-related hospital visits with female patients were due to leblouh.

So, why does it happen?

In these regions, leblouh is encouraged to prepare women for marriage, as a larger body is seen as…