Determinants of natural fertility in rural bangladesh reconsidered
Langsten, R.
Population Studies 39(1): 153-161
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0032-4728 DOI: 10.1080/0032472031000141336Document Number: 394231
Research has been done into the connection betwee natural fertility in developing countries and natural nutrition status; the article cites in particular that of Huffman and her colleague, but argues that their data are contaminated by a strong period effect, namely the 1974/75 famine which affected nutrition, breast-feeding behaviour and length of amenorrhoea in their sample. The article describes the Bangladesh famine, discusses its impact on Huffman's data and shows in what ways her conclusion may be biased. Huffman's original field work is described in Population Studies, 34(1980), 337-347: Lactations and fertility in rural Bangladesh. Her reply to the comments follows the present article.