Analysis of nutritional status and income of landless agricultural workers and their households from two villages in Calauan, Laguna, Philippines

Issue Date

6-2016

Abstract

Poverty among landless agricultural workers can be addressed by improving their health status through proper nutrition. Good health influences a person's ability to work and earn a living. This paper assesses the effect of income on the nutritional status of landless farm workers in Calauan, Laguna [Philippines]. Caloric intake of household members and weight of preschool children were used as measures of nutritional status. Results show that 80% of adults and 51% of preschool children had inadequate caloric intakes. Low caloric intakes are associated with household income. Weight, however, is found to be normal despite poor caloric intakes among children. Households' incomes are below the Laguna poverty threshold. A third of the respondents are unable to augment income through off-farm employment. Policy recommendations include information dissemination by the barangay [village] health units about programs on proper nutrition and off-farm employment prospects for landless farm workers.

Source or Periodical Title

Journal of Economics, Management and Agricultural Development (Philippines)

ISSN

2449-4585

Volume

2

Issue

1

Page

75-87

Document Type

Article

Physical Description

chart; graphs; tables; references

Language

English

Subject

Agricultural workers -- Calauan, Laguna, Philippines--Social conditions; Poverty; Agricultural workers; Farm workers

En – AGROVOC descriptors

HOUSEHOLDS; NUTRIENT INTAKE; NUTRITIONAL STATUS; AGRICULTURAL WORKERS; LANDLESSNESS; ENERGY VALUE; INCOME; PHILIPPINES

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