THE IMPLICATIONS OF FEMALE HOUSEHOLD HEADSHIP FOR FOOD-CONSUMPTION AND NUTRITIONAL-STATUS IN THE DOMINICAN-REPUBLIC

Female control of household resources is often associated with consump tion preferences which favor basic needs and child welfare. Using data from the Dominican Republic, this study tests differences in spending patterns, consumption preferences, end child nutritional (anthropomet ric) status according to four definitions of female household headship . Female-headed households (FHH) allocate the same amount or less of t heir budgets to food than male-headed households (MHH), in absolute an d proportional terms. FHH consume higher quality, more expensive and p rotein-dense foods (more animal products; less of beans and rice) than MHH. Average caloric adequacy per adult-equivalent is equal or lower in FHH, but children's anthropometric status is the same or higher; it is significantly higher in low-income FHH, possibly due to intrahouse hold allocation of food which favors children.