Women's autonomy and its relationship to children's nutrition among the Rendille of northern Kenya.
This study explores the effect of women's autonomy on children's health. Research was conducted among the Rendille, a traditionally nomadic pastoralist population living in northern Kenya. Using data collected from 435 women and 934 of their children, we tested the hypothesis that women with higher levels of autonomy would have children with better nutrition. Results of our study indicated that while women's autonomy had no effect on younger-ages 0-35 months-children's nutrition as measured by WHZ scores, greater levels of women's autonomy were significantly associated with improved nutrition among older-ages 3-10 years-children. These results suggest that women's autonomy is an important factor in relation to children's health in some circumstances. In addition to exploring the applied aspects of our findings, we also suggest how considering the concept of women's autonomy may add to the existing literature on parental investment.
Brunson
Emily K
EK
Department of Anthropology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-3100, USA. ebrunson@u.washington.edu
Shell-Duncan
Bettina
B
Steele
Matthew
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Am J Phys Anthropol. 2000 Oct;113(2):183-200
11002204
Soc Sci Med. 1990;31(7):783-9
2244220
World Health Organ Tech Rep Ser. 1995;854:1-452
8594834
Soc Sci Med. 2006 Dec;63(12):2999-3012
16962693
Demography. 2003 May;40(2):269-88
12846132
J Biosoc Sci. 2007 May;39(3):355-66
16824255
Popul Dev Rev. 2010;36(4):655-92
21174865
Soc Sci Med. 2000 Nov;51(10):1517-28
11077954
Soc Sci Med. 1999 Jul;49(2):197-214
10414829
Soc Sci Med. 1993 Dec;37(11):1303-12
8284697
Stud Fam Plann. 1993 Nov-Dec;24(6 Pt 1):354-65
8153966
Demography. 2001 Feb;38(1):67-78
11227846
Soc Sci Med. 1997 Mar;44(5):709-15
9032838