Effects of education on calorie and nutrient intake in Mexican families

Abstract

This article analyzes calorie and micronutrient intake in relation to wealth distribution and education levels in Mexican households. Using data from theNational Survey on Income and Household Expenditure, 2018 (ENIGH 2018), semiparametric regressions of intake of calories and five micronutrientsare estimated across the distribution of expenditure and the head of household's education level. Higher economic status households consumed morecalories and micronutrients; when controlled according to level of education, however, households with lower human capital demonstrated an increasedcaloric intake while simultaneously demonstrating a reduced nutrient intake. Findings also showed that as education level increases, householdsconsume closer to recommended caloric intakes and show a preference for more micronutrient-dense foods.