Malnutrition in Cote d'Ivoire: prevalence and determinants

Type Journal Article - Social Dimensions of Adjustment (SDA) in sub-Saharan Africa working paper
Title Malnutrition in Cote d'Ivoire: prevalence and determinants
Author(s)
Issue 4
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 1990
URL http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&me​nuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&theSitePK=523679&entityID=000178830_98101901405144&searchMenuPK=​64187283&theSitePK=523679
Abstract
In order to explore the causes of malnutrition, this paper estimates reduced-form nutritional status functions that include a linear combination of independent variables, which explain the household's per capita consumption expenditures. Instrumented consumption expenditures are considered a good proxy for permanent income, and the findings indicate that they are an important determinant of long-term (or chronic) malnutrition. Income, however, does not have a significant effect on current (or acute) malnutrition. Children from households that allocate a larger share of their land to producing export crops than food crops did not display more stunting or wasting. Mothers with more education will be less likely to have children who suffer from acute malnutrition, when controlling for income levels. The education of the father, however, does not confer the same positive benefits upon his children's nutritional welfare, except as mediated through higher earnings. Parental height, especially of women, has an important impact on long-term nutritional status. The characteristics of the village in which the household resides also plays an important role in determining levels of malnutrition.

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