Poverty and Undernutrition : Theory, Measurement, and Policy

Contents: 1. Background and introduction. 2. Characterization and measurement of undernutrition: controversies and consensus. 3. A model of nutrition and economic productivity. 4. Related empirical evidence. 5. Undernutrition: the Fao estimates. 6. Calorie availability in Sub-Saharan Africa. 7. Calorie intake and distribution: estimates from the consumption side. 8. Minimum calorie-expenditure requirements for individuals. 9. From individual calorie requirements to Per-Capita calorie cut-off points. 10. Aggregate estimations of prevalence of undernutrition: scope for improvements? 11. Anthropometric indicators of undernutrition: measurements and evidence. 12. Anthropometric indicators: measurement and selection biases? 13. Anthropometric status: an incomplete indicator of undernutrition.14. Anthropometric failure: morbidity and mortality risks. 15. On reasons for child mortality and anthropometric failure. 16. Excess mortality, economic growth, and public action in Sub-Saharan Africa. 17. Growth, public action, and well-being: what can Sub-Saharan Africa learn from others? 18. Synthesis and conclusions. References. Index of names. General index.

"A large share of the population in many developing countries suffers from chronic undernutrition. This book provides a comparative study of undernutrition in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, the two worst affected areas, and provides crucial advice for all those concerned in development worldwide.

The book concentrates on the five challenges that undernutrition creates: what is undernutrition, who are the undernourished, where are the undernourished, when are people undernourished, and why are people undernourished. It begins by introducing the main paradigms and controversies of undernutrition and discussing the relationship between calorie intake/expenditure, work effort, body weight, and income. It details the methods of defining and measuring undernutrition, based on estimates of gaps between calorie intake and calorie requirements for households, and provides a parallel analysis of the main alternative approach to defining and measuring undernutrition, based on anthropometric assessment. It analyses the consequences and causes of anthropometric failure, and highlights the related policy issues.

This is an immensely valuable resource for economists, policy-makers, development researchers and students."