Maternal group participation and child nutritional status in Peru. Issue 2 (15th December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Favara, Marta
• Is Part Of: Review of development economics. Volume 22:Issue 2(2018:May)
• Page Start: 459
• Page End: 483
• Publication Date: 2017-12-15
• Subjects: Economic development -- Periodicals; 330
• DOI: 10.1111/rode.12363
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1363-6669

Abstract

Abstract: Using data from the Peruvian sample of the Young Lives study, this paper investigates the association between maternal group participation and child nutritional status at the ages of 1 and 5 years. This study finds that the relationship between child nutrition and maternal group participation depends on the level of maternal education. In fact, maternal group participation is positively associated with child height‐for‐age when children were 1 year old, for those children whose mothers had had no formal education. This same association fades at 5 years of age. Maternal group participation may affect child nutrition through a number of mechanisms. This paper provides suggestive evidence on the positive role that this participation might play in promoting better breastfeeding practice and a more secure mother–child bond and in easing mothers' access to additional resources and support.