Empowering women, enhancing diets: The impact of women’s bargaining power on dietary quality in urban China

Abstract

This paper investigates the influence of women’s empowerment on the dietary quality of urban residents in China, considering the country’s evolving gender dynamics. Utilizing data from 2022 to 2023 and employing instrumental variable method to address endogeneity issue, our analysis reveals that urban residents living in families with higher female bargaining power are more likely to meet the dietary guideline set by the Chinese Dietary Pagoda. Specifically, these residents exhibit reduced consumption of meat which are current overconsumed, while increasing their intake of dairy products which are current under-consumed. Furthermore, in households with children, enhanced bargaining power of women is associated with a broader variety of food consumption. The effects on dietary quality are particularly notable in low-income households, and there is a significant increase in egg consumption in smaller cities. These changes are likely driven by increased food expenditures and a reduced frequency of dining out. The findings underscore the importance of women’s empowerment as a key factor in improving urban dietary habits in China, with substantial implications for public health and nutrition.