Intra-household food allocation in the Philippines using a national food consumption data
Date
2015-01
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Abstract
This study looked into the factors that determine the intra-household food allocation among Filipinos and its implications on the nutritional status of household members especially women and young children. It adopted the cooperative collective model of the household where different decision makers are allowed to have different preferences, and do not require a unique household welfare index to be interpreted as a utility function. Data from the 7th National Nutrition Survey of the Philippines in 2008 was used in analyzing the factors that affect individual food intake, shares in food intake, energy and protein adequacies and inequality of adequacies within the household. Panel data estimation method was used to account for unobserved household characteristics that affect preferences. The results showed that in terms of efficiency, those who contribute more, specifically those who are employed, males, and the household head, get more total food and have higher shares of food as well as higher probabilities of being energy and protein adequate than other members of the household. The physiologic requirements of pregnant and lactating women and preschool children in the household seem to be ignored in allocating food, as shown in their shares of food and energy and protein adequacies. While many programs focus on these physiologic groups, their food allocation in the household, and eventually their energy and protein adequacies, seem to be overlooked. Thus, there is a need to review the programs that target the household of pregnant and lactating women and preschool children, and consider the possible trade-offs within the household.
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Intra-household food allocation, Collective model, Nutrient adequacy