Nutritional Status During an Economic Crisis: Evidence from Russia

Authors: Stillman, Steven¹; Thomas, Duncan²

Source: The Economic Journal, Volume 118, Number 531, August 2008 , pp. 1385-1417(33)

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Abstract:

Between 1996 and 1998, Russia experienced a spectacular decline in economic activity which was followed by a dramatic rebound between 1998 and 2000. We use panel data to examine the impact of variation in household resources on six dimensions of nutritional status, distinguishing longer-run from short-term fluctuations in resources. Nutritional status is very resilient to short-term variation in household resources. Gross energy intake, adult weight and child stature change very little as expenditure deviates from its long-run average. Longer-run resources have a substantively large, positive and significant effect on energy intake, diet quality, adult weight and child stature. The evidence indicates that individuals and households are able to weather short-term fluctuations in economic resources, at least in terms of maintaining body mass and energy intake.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0297.2008.02174.x

Affiliations: 1: Motu Economic and Public Policy Research 2: Duke University

Publication date: 2008-08-01