FAMILY STRUCTURE AND CHILD HEALTH IN ARGENTINA

• Published in: International journal of sociology of the family Vol. 40; no. 2; pp. 175 - 198
• Main Authors: MUNIAGURRIA, MARIA, NOVAK, BEATRIZ
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Serials Publications 01-10-2014
• Subjects: Child growth; Child nutrition; Childrearing Practices; Children; Family Structure; Growth retardation; Health; Health Problems; Nutrition; Nutritional status; Obesity; Overweight; Parents; Preschool children; Residence
• ISSN: 0020-7667; 0973-2039; 0020-7667

We explore the influence of family structure on the nutritional status of Argentinian children aged 2-5 years with data drawn from the nationally representative National Survey of Health and Nutrition (2004-5). We use logistic regressions to model two outcomes: stunting (low height-for-age) and overweight (excessive weight-for-height). For the stunting model, we find that two-parent families have significantly better outcomes when they have relatives in residence with them and that single parenting per se does not have adverse effects. The beneficial role of relatives is reversed for overweight: Children living with one or two parents have significantly higher odds of being overweight when relatives are present in their household. Single parenting is associated with lower odds of overweight but only if relatives are not part of the residential family.