Childhood Malnutrition in China: Change of Inequality in a Decade

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Citation

Chen, Zhuo; Eastwood, David B.; & Yen, Steven T. (2005). Childhood Malnutrition in China: Change of Inequality in a Decade.

Abstract

A concentration index methodology to analyze the inequality in childhood malnutrition in China is outlined. Height-for-age z score is used as a measure of childhood malnutrition. Using household survey data from nine Chinese provinces, it is found that per-capita household income, household head's education, urban residence and access to a bus stop reduced malnutrition. Child's age had a nonlinear effect on the malnutrition status. Income growth and access to public transportation reduced the inequality, while rural-urban gap, provincial differentiation, and unequal distribution of household head's education increased inequality in childhood malnutrition. Gender is not a factor in either malnutrition status or inequality. Investments in infrastructure and welfare programs are recommended to reduce the inequality.

URL

http://purl.umn.edu/19205
http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/19205/1/sp05ch03.pdf

Reference Type

Conference proceeding

Year Published

2005

Author(s)

Chen, Zhuo
Eastwood, David B.
Yen, Steven T.