Nutrition , Malnutrition and Economic Growth

Malnutrition is widespread in the developing world. 12 or more million low-birthweight births occur per year and 180 million children are characterized as malnourished. This chapter first assesses estimates of the extent of malnutrition in developing countries. It then surveys micro evidence about the productivity impact of improved nutrition in developing countries – from conception through infancy and childhood and into adolescence and adulthood. These gains may operate through many channels – increasing cognitive development, increasing physical stature and strength, inducing earlier school enrollment and more regular school attendance, inducing greater schooling and learning, and increasing adult productivity – as well as saving resources that otherwise would go towards dealing with diseases and other problems related to malnutrition. Finally the possible gains from different nutritional policy strategies and the policy bases for adopting such strategies are examined. *Harold Alderman is Lead Human Development Economist in the Africa Region of the World Bank, 1818 H Street, NW, Washington DC, 20433, USA; telephone 1 202 473 0372; e-mail [email protected]. Jere R. Behrman is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Economics and Director of the Population Studies Center, McNeil 160, 3718 Locust Walk, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6297, USA; telephone 1 215 898 7704, fax 1 215 898 2124, e-mail: [email protected]. John Hoddinott is a Senior Research Fellow, FCND, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), 2033 K Street NW, Washington DC 20006, USA, telephone 1 202 862 5637; fax 1 202 467 4439; e-mail [email protected]. Only Alderman, Behrman and Hoddinott, and not the World Bank or IFPRI, are responsible for the contents of this chapter.