The "feminization of hunger" - What do surveys tell us?

by Alain Marcoux
Population Programme Service
FAO Women and Population Division

This article reviews available evidence regarding gender biases in malnutrition in developing countries and countries in transition, based on some 350 nutrition surveys. The female bias in undernutrition appears limited to the adult population in a few countries, including some areas of China and (North) India. There is no indication as to whether these biases are growing or not. More geographically disaggregated nutrition surveys are needed in these and in other large countries, as well as surveys in countries not heretofore investigated. As for pre-school children, gender biases in malnutrition are not infrequent among them, but in this case it rather is boys who are worse off. However, in many countries these biases seem to be disappearing, especially those once affecting girls.

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