Paper short abstract:

This paper investigates the dynamics of gender disparities in the intra-household allocation of food during childhood by using 3 rounds of Young Lives data. No differences in diets are observed until the age of 15. Specifically, mid-adolescent girls consume fewer protein- and vitamin-rich foods.

Paper long abstract:

This paper examines gender inequalities in the quality of children's

diet, as defined by dietary diversity, among children growing up in

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Dietary diversity is a fundamental

aspect of good nutrition: a varied diet is essential for ensuring an

adequate intake of the macro- and micro-nutrients

that are required for children's healthy growth and proper

development.

The empirical results show that:

• While there are no gender disparities in dietary quality for children

aged 5, 8 and 12 years old, a wide pro-boy gap emerges in the

middle of adolescence at 15 years old.

• 15-year-old girls are less likely to consume the foods that contain

most of the protein and micronutrients that are necessary for

healthy development, such as eggs, legumes, root vegetables, fruit

and meat.

• Boys whose caregivers who have high aspirations for their

children's education are particularly advantaged in the allocation of

food within the household.

The results are robust even when controlling for factors that may

explain the observed gender gap (onset of puberty, time-use and time

spent working or at school, as well as dietary behaviours such as

skipping meals).

In the context of India, these findings are important for a number

of reasons. First, India is home to the largest youth population globally and adolescent health is a key policy priority. Second, improving adolescent girls' diets,

beyond being a development objective per se, can help to break

the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition.