Sex bias in the family allocation of food and health care in rural Bangladesh
Chen, L.C.; Huq, E.; D' Soufa, S.
Population and Development Review 7(1): 55-70
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0098-7921 DOI: 10.2307/1972764Document Number: 384623
Conclusive evidence was provided in an earlier study of higher female than male mortality from shortly after birth through the child bearing ages in a rural area of Bangladesh (Population and Development Review, 6(2) p.257-270; See WAERSA 23, 4523) The study examines the validity of the hypothesis that son preference in parental care, intrafamily food distribution, feeding practices and the use of health services are some of the behavioural mechanisms by which sex-biased attitudes may have led to the observed mortality pattern. The malnutrition rate was found to be substantially higher among female children. In-depth dietary surveys show that males consistently consumed more calories and proteins than females at all ages, even when nutrient requirements due to varying body weight, pregnancy, lactation and activity levels are considered. Although child infection rates were similar between sexes, use of health care services at a free treatment unit showed a marked male preference. This paper reports studies of individual food intakes, morbidity and use of health care facilities during a continuous longitudinal research programme in rural Bangladesh. Anthropometric and socioeconomic data were obtained for 882 children under 5 years old, and subsequently households and individual food intake was studied in 130 families. When energy intake was related to requirements it appeared that female preschool children were relatively disadvantaged. They also were shorter and lighter (relative to standard values) than males, and were less frequently taken to health care centres. However, attack rates of common childhood illnesses were the same for males and females. The authors conclude that there is evidence that pre-school girls receive less food and health care than boys.