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The impact of conditional cash transfers on nutrition outcomes: Experimental evidence from Mexico

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  • Kronebusch, Natalie
  • Damon, Amy

Abstract

In this paper, we study the effect of Progresa, a conditional cash transfer program in Mexico, on the micronutrient and macronutrient consumption levels of program participants. Overall, we find that Progresa has a complicated effect on nutrition outcomes. We find that treatment households increase their vitamin consumption by 15 percent and mineral consumption by 7 percent. Our results indicate that conditional cash transfers may have important positive effects on vitamin A, iron, and possibly calcium, which are under-consumed by a vast majority of the Mexican population. We also find that Progresa increases consumption of processed carbohydrates by 23 percent and saturated fat by about 5 percent. These findings suggest that Progresa has a dual effect on the nutrition outcomes of Progresa eligible households, likely improving macro- and micronutrient consumption levels, but also increasing the consumption of food categories that likely lead to increased prevalence of overweight and obesity.

Suggested Citation

  • Kronebusch, Natalie & Damon, Amy, 2019. "The impact of conditional cash transfers on nutrition outcomes: Experimental evidence from Mexico," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 33(C), pages 169-180.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ehbiol:v:33:y:2019:i:c:p:169-180
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2019.01.008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Camilo, Karen & Zuluaga, Blanca, 2022. "The effects of conditional cash transfers on schooling and child labor of nonbeneficiary siblings," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Progresa; Oportunidades; Conditional cash transfer; Mexico; Macronutrients; Micronutrients;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • N96 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History - - - Latin America; Caribbean

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