Nutritional status and the allocation of time in Rwandese households

This paper analyzes the activity patterns of adult men and women in approximately 110 Rwandese households surveyed four times in 1982-83. Dynamic models are separately estimated for men and women for the time spent sleeping and resting, performing heavy activities, doing housework, and on agriculture. The models postulate simultaneity between men and women's activities and investigate the differential feedbacks. The main findings are that low incomes and high food prices reduce the households' energy intakes, thereby forcing the adults to spend additional time resting and sleeping. Second, both men and women share the workload in spite of poor nutritional status. Third, for women, there is substitution between housework and agriculture, the former tasks being relegated to other household members. Lastly, energy intakes of twice the Basal Metabolic Rate seem inadequate for the sustenance of active adults. The policy implications of the results are discussed.