Family Income Level, Income Structure, and Dietary Imbalance of Elderly Households in Rural China

Abstract

In rural areas, the aging of households is becoming increasingly severe, and the issue of dietary imbalance among the elderly is becoming increasingly prominent. Using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), the negative binomial regression method was used to investigate the impact of household income level on dietary imbalance among rural elderly people, and to explore the heterogeneity of household income structure and its role in the relationship between the two. Research has found that an increase in total household income significantly improves the dietary quality of rural elderly people, and the income structure variable enhances its negative pulling effect on dietary imbalance. For elderly people with moderate dietary imbalance, the effect of increased family income is most significant. In different income groups, the impact of total household income on dietary imbalance in the high-income group is greater than that in the low-income group, and there is also a significant difference in the role played by the proportion of net income from agricultural operations. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the non working income of the elderly, strengthen social responsibility for elderly care, and alleviate the problem of dietary imbalance among rural elderly people.

Exploring Mechanisms behind Migration’s Impact on Protein Intake of Left-Behind Household Members: A Panel Analysis from China

“…However, this narrow focus may not fully explain the varied dynamics observed over time and across geographic regions. More studies have examined the factors influencing the nutritional intake of rural residents, such as income [ 15 ], production [ 16 ], household dynamics [ 17 ], geographic differences [ 18 ], and environmental influences [ 19 ]; yet, these factors have not been sufficiently linked to migrant labor. Based on the existing literature, we hypothesize that migrants influence protein intake in three key ways: firstly, by increasing disposable income through remittances and agricultural income [ 20 ]; secondly, by consuming home-grown agricultural products [ 21 ]; and thirdly, by altering household composition [ 22 ].…”

Can Non-farm Employment Improve Dietary Diversity of Left-Behind Family Members in Rural China?

“…There are few studies on the mechanism in the existing literature. Third, along with the accelerated pace of urbanization, rural aging is becoming increasingly serious [ 23 , 24 ]. The phenomenon of empty nesters has become increasingly prominent [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]; when the rest of the family labor force shifts to non-farm sector employment and only the elderly remain in the family, whether non-farm employment can increase the dietary diversity of the empty nesters and improve their nutritional level needs to be paid attention to.…”