Impact of Bolsa Família Program on the nutritional status of children and adolescents from two Brazilian regions

Naiara Sperandio,Cristiana Tristão Rodrigues,Silvia Eloiza Priore,Sylvia Do Carmo Castro Franceschini

doi:10.1590/1678-98652017000400007

Naiara Sperandio, Cristiana Tristão Rodrigues + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-98652017000400007

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess and compare the impact of the Bolsa Família Program (Family Allowance) on the nutritional status of children and adolescents from the Brazilian Northeastern and Southeastern regions. Methods: The study used data from a database derived from a subsample of the Family Budget Survey conducted from 2008 to 2009. The ratios of underweight, stunted, and overweight children were calculated. Impact measurement analysis was preceded by propensity score matching, which matches beneficiary and non-beneficiary families in relation to a set of socioeconomic features. The nearest-neighbor matching algorithm estimated the program impact. Results: The ratio of underweight children and adolescents was, on average, 1.1% smaller in the beneficiary families than in the non-beneficiary families in the Northeastern region. As for the Southeastern region, the ratio of overweight children and adolescents was, on average, 4.2% smaller in the beneficiary families. The program did not affect stunting in either region. Conclusion: The results showed the positive impact and good focus of the program. Thus, once linked to structural actions, the program may help to improve the nutritional status and quality of life of its beneficiaries.

Highlights

In the last 34 years, the secular nutritional status change of Brazilian children and adolescents reflects a decline of malnutrition and an increase of excess weight in this population [1]
The Bolsa Família Program was created by Interin Measure no 132 in October 2003 and regulated by Decree no 5,209 of 2004
The operationalization of the program occurs via cash transfer and compliance with a number of requirements in the areas of health, education, and social assistance [6,7]

Summary

Introduction

In the last 34 years, the secular nutritional status change of Brazilian children and adolescents reflects a decline of malnutrition and an increase of excess weight in this population [1]. The increase in maternal education level, family purchasing power, and access to health care and basic sanitation stand out as the main factors responsible for the decline of malnutrition in Brazil [2,3]. One of the determining factors for the higher purchasing power of the Brazilian population, especially since 2003, was the expansion of the cash transfer programs, especially the Bolsa Família Program (PBF, Family Allowance Program) [4,5]. The operationalization of the program occurs via cash transfer and compliance with a number of requirements in the areas of health, education, and social assistance [6,7] The target population are families in poverty (with a per capita family income per month of R$77.01 to R$154.00, as long as these families include children, adolescents, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women) and extreme poverty (with a per capita family income per month below R$77.00) [6].

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