Revista de Economia e Sociologia Rural
https://revistasober.org/article/doi/10.1590/1806-9479.2025.293231
Revista de Economia e Sociologia Rural
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

The impacts of undernutrition on labor productivity: empirical evidence for rural area in Brazil

Os impactos da subnutrição na produtividade do trabalho: evidência empírica para a área rural do Brasil

Emerson Luís Lemos Marinho; João Mário Santos de França; Guaracyane Lima Campêlo; Thaisa França Badagnan

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Abstract

This article investigates the impact of undernutrition on labor productivity in rural Brazil by analyzing the Nutritional Poverty Trap (NPT). It examines the effects of vitamin A, B1, B2, iron, and calorie intake on the income of household heads across the Agricultural, Non-agricultural, Self-employed, and other employment sectors. A variation of the Dubin and McFadden (1984) method is employed to correct for selection bias using multinomial logit models. The analysis is based on data from the Household Budget Surveys (POF) for the years 2002–2003, 2008–2009, and 2017–2018. The results suggest that, although rural workers' diets have improved over time, nutritional deficiencies persist in the Agricultural and Non-agricultural sectors, contributing to low labor productivity. These findings are explained by ongoing deficiencies in micronutrients and calorie intake, which serve as a central mechanism of the NPT by diminishing workers’ physical and cognitive capacity, thereby limiting their income-generating opportunities and perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

Keywords

nutrition-based poverty trap, calorie intake, micronutrient deprivation, rural poverty

Resumo

Resumo: Neste artigo investigam-se os impactos da subnutrição sobre a produtividade do trabalho na área rural do Brasil analisando a Armadilha da Pobreza Nutricional (APN). Investiga-se o efeito da ingestão de vitaminas A, B1, B2, ferro e de calorias sobre as rendas dos chefes de famílias nos setores agrícola, não agrícola, conta-própria e outros empregos. Utiliza-se uma variação do método de Dubin e McFadden (1984) para a correção de viés de seleção baseado em modelos Logit Multinomiais. Os dados utilizados são das Pesquisas de Orçamento Familiar (POF) para os anos de 2002-2003, 2008-2009 e 2017-2018. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que, embora tenha havido melhora na alimentação dos trabalhadores rurais, ainda persistem problemas alimentares nos setores ocupacionais agrícola e não agrícola na zona rural, indicando baixa produtividade do trabalho. Esse resultado é explicado pela deficiência de micronutrientes e caloria que atuam como um mecanismo central da APN, ao reduzir a capacidade física e cognitiva dos trabalhadores, limitando suas oportunidades de geração de renda e perpetuando o ciclo da pobreza.

Palavras-chave

armadilha da pobreza nutricional, Ingestão de calorias, privação de micronutrientes, pobreza rural

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Submitted date:
01/08/2025

Accepted date:
07/24/2025

Publication date:
11/13/2025

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