Association between women’s empowerment and childhood obesity in China: a generalized propensity score matching analysis

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study investigates the association between women’s empowerment and childhood obesity in China using Generalized Propensity Score Matching (GPSM) Analysis. Utilizing data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), the research analyzes how varying degrees of women’s empowerment, defined by the wife’s income ratio to the couple’s total income, influence childhood obesity rates. Findings suggest an association between increased women’s empowerment and lower incidence of childhood obesity. The study also uncovers variations in the impact of women’s empowerment across different wife’s education levels and family structures. These results underscore the critical role of women’s empowerment in mitigating childhood obesity within China’s rapidly changing socio-economic landscape. This research offers valuable insights for policy interventions aimed at promoting women’s empowerment and addressing childhood obesity, highlighting a crucial link between gender dynamics and public health in contemporary China.