Early-life deprivation and health outcomes in adulthood: Evidence from childhood hunger episodes of middle-aged and elderly Chinese

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Development Economics
Year: 2020
Volume: 143
Issue: C

Authors (3)

Cui, Hanxiao (not in RePEc) Smith, James P. Zhao, Yaohui (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper examines long-term health consequences of early-life food deprivation across late-life health indicators. Our analysis relies on retrospective data of hunger drawn from CHARLS - a nationally representative survey of residents ages 45 and over in Continental China. The survey accurately measured hunger episodes in childhood. Exposure to hunger early in life is found to increase the probability of being overweight, having difficulty with ADLs/IADLs and depression in old age. The adverse cognitive impacts of hunger are confined to women due to gender disparity in nutrition and educational opportunities. We find gender-specific interaction effect between hunger episodes and sibling sex composition.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:deveco:v:143:y:2020:i:c:s0304387819303001
Journal Field
Development
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-29