Iron Deficiency and Schooling Attainment in Peru

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
Year: 2016
Volume: 8
Issue: 4
Pages: 222-55

Authors (5)

Alberto Chong (not in RePEc) Isabelle Cohen (not in RePEc) Erica Field (not in RePEc) Eduardo Nakasone (United Nations) Maximo Torero (United Nations)

Score contribution per author:

0.804 = (α=2.01 / 5 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

Do nutritional deficiencies contribute to the intergenerational persistence of poverty by reducing the earnings potential of future generations? To address this question, we made available supplemental iron pills at a health center in rural Peru and encouraged adolescents to take them via media messages. School administrative data provide novel evidence that reducing iron deficiency results in a large and significant improvement in school performance and aspirations for anemic students. Our findings demonstrate that combining low-cost outreach efforts and local supplementation programs can be an affordable and effective method of reducing rates of adolescent iron deficiency anemia.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejapp:v:8:y:2016:i:4:p:222-55
Journal Field
General
Author Count
5
Added to Database
2026-01-25