Food Crisis, Nutrition, and Female Children in Rural Bangladesh

Abstract

This article assesses the effect of the 1974-1975 famine on sex-biased allocation of food among children aged 1-4 in Bangladesh. The study was conducted in 12 Matlab villages on 1400 children. Anthropometric indexes were used as a measure of nutrition and floor space in each familys dwelling was used as an indicator of socioeconomic status. A sharp downward trend in malnutrition occurred over the study period with rapid seasonal fluctuation in indexes of weight-for-age and weight-for-height. The proportion of severely malnourished children was 68% higher in April-October 1975 than in April-October 1976. Data demonstrate negative effects of famine low socioeconomic status and female sex on nutrition as effects of famine on female children and those of low socioeconomic status were more acute. Improvement in household resources raises nutritional status of all children but benefits males more than females. Sex differentials in nutritional status were more marked among children of high socioeconomic status. It is important that those responsible for resource allocation in times of crisis ensure that famine relief reaches both male and female children; feeding at a relief center may be more effective than giving food to the family for home consumption.