Food and Nutrition Security in Developing Economies: An Intra-household and Gender Based Assessment

This study examines the impact of droughts on intra-household food consumption, diet diversity, and nutrition. The study provides a unique and nuanced understanding of how droughts affect the food consumption and nutrition of men, women, and children within a household. We use panel data from a nationally representative survey in Bangladesh. Findings show that after a drought, individuals spend 4.6% less on food and consume 3.4% fewer calories, 3.3% less protein, and 4.7% less fat. However, the effect is not homogeneous across all household members. Women and children, the most vulnerable groups, experience a greater shortfall in food consumption and nutrients than men. Furthermore, droughts lead to a less balanced household diet, characterized by reduced consumption of nutrient-rich animal-source and plant-based foods and increased reliance on cereals. Policymakers could support targeted interventions for vulnerable individuals to access adequate nutrition during climatic stress.