Direct and Indirect Effects of Parental Education on Malnutrition among Children in Brazil: A Full Income Approach

Abstract

Malnutrition is a major problem among children in developing countries with growth failure affecting an estimated 33% of preschool children in such countries. Findings are reported from a study exploring the effects of parental education upon malnutrition among children age 2-5 years in Brazil. Childrens nutritional status was measured by the Z score of height-for-age weight-for-height and weight-for-age using data from the 1989 Brazilian National Health and Nutrition Survey. The demand functions of mothers and fathers education levels their estimated market wage rates estimated household full income and other factors are estimated with the Z scores as dependent variables. Stunting as reflected in height-for-age was the most serious malnutrition problem among the children. Malnutrition was far more widespread among children of parents with little or no education with parental education having both a direct impact and indirect effects through wages and full income on child health. Primary education of at least four but less than 8 years yielded the only significant direct effect. However higher levels of education had an even greater impact through the indirect effects on wages and full income. The impact of parents value of time on child health was negative while the impact of household full income was positive and predominant. Improved parental education could have a dramatic effect upon reducing malnutrition among preschool children in Brazil.