Understanding nutritional intake of Chinese farmers from the perspective of sustainable livelihood analysis

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2021 Mar 1. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-12872-3. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Based on the framework of sustainable livelihood analysis and using the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) data, this paper examines the connection between livelihood assets and farmers' nutritional intake. Results show that capital endowment and nutritional intake of farmers with diversified production are greater than those who specialize; capital endowment and nutritional intake of horticultural households are greater than those who engage in agriculture. Compared with non-economically disadvantaged households, higher livelihood assets have significant association with improved fat and protein intake of economically disadvantaged households. Compared with diversified farmers, more livelihood assets have significant association with improved energy and carbohydrate intake of agricultural households. Compared with those who specialize, additional livelihood assets have significant association with improved fat and protein intake of farmers with diversified production.

Keywords: Chinese farmer nutrition; Diversity of agricultural production; Economically disadvantaged households; Entropy method; Financial capital; Human capital; Natural capital; Physical capital; Social capital; Sustainable livelihood analysis.