Sex disparities in the distribution of food within rural households.

The findings of a recent nutritional survey in rural Bangladesh suggest that within rural households, food is inequitably divided among household members in relation to their nutritional requirements. Women and girls are disadvantaged in comparison to men and boys. This leads to a higher incidence of severe malnutrition among women and girls and excess female infant mortality. These findings suggest that in order to eradicate malnutrition, it may not be enough to increase the supply of food available to households among the rural poor, unless at the same time steps are taken to ensure a more equitable distribution of food within the household by enhancing the perceived economic value of females in rural society.