Can household food security predict individual undernutrition? Evidence from Cambodia and Lao PDR

Arbeitspapier

This paper uses a novel data set of marginalized households from Cambodia and Lao PDR to better understand different food security concepts. The multitude of indicators available raises the question how these indicators relate to each other and whether they are suitable to detect undernutrition of individuals. In the analysis we identify the causes of food insecurity in relation to a number of different food security concepts and examine the links between the food security status of households and individuals using anthropometric data of children under five. The regression results show that the different indicators of food security at the household level capture fundamentally different aspects of food security. In addition, household food insecurity only explains a small share of child undernutrition. We call for more research on intra-household allocation of food and stress the implications of our research for the design and targeting of food and nutrition support programs.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Hannover Economic Papers (HEP) ; No. 594

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Agricultural Policy; Food Policy ; Health and Economic Development ; Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
• Subject: Food Security ; Undernutrition ; Human Development ; Poverty ; Southeast Asia

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Bühler, Dorothee ; Grote, Ulrike ; Hartje, Rebecca
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Leibniz Universität Hannover, Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät
• (where): Hannover
• (when): 2017

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/172848
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:42 AM CET