Nutrition, Malnutrition and strongEconomicstrong Growth.pdf

Nutrition, Malnutrition and Economic Growth * Harold Alderman, Jere R. Behrman and John Hoddinott Area of Strategic Health Development Health Systems and Policies Unit Health Economics Group * This paper was revised by the authors on August 2003 8. Nutrition, Malnutrition and Economic Growth By Harold Alderman, Jere R. Behrman and John Hoddinott* Forthcoming in Health and Economic Growth: Findings and Policy Implications, Edited by Guillem López-Casasnovas, Berta Rivera and Luis Currais, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2004. 2 August 2003 Abstract: Malnutrition is widespread in the developing world. 12 or more million low-birth- weight births occur per year and 180 million children are characterized as malnourished. This chapter first assesses estimates of the extent of malnutrition in developing countries. It then surveys micro evidence about the productivity impact of improved nutrition in developing countries – from conception through infancy and childhood and into adolescence and adulthood. These gains may operate through many channels – increasing cognitive development, increasing physical stature and strength, inducing earlier school enrollment and more regular school attendance, inducing greater schooling and learning, and increasing adult productivity – as well as saving resources that otherwise would go towards dealing with diseases and other problems related to malnutrition. Finally the possible gains from different nutritional policy strategies and the policy bases for adopting such strategies are examined. *Harold Alderman is Lead Human Development Economist in the Africa Region of the World Bank, 1818 H Street, NW, Washington DC, 20433, USA; telephone 1 202 473 0372; e-mail halderman@