ABSTRACT. This paper presents an impact evaluation of three nutritional programs implemented in Puebla, Mexico, run by DIF, a social assistance institution. The present study uses both a propensity score matching and weighting in order to estimate the causal effect of these programs on different areas: food support, food orientation, education, and health. This investigation adds strong empirical evidence about the beneficial effects of nutritional programs on anthropometric variables. In addition, it provides some evidence about the favorable impact of this kind of programs on food orientation outcomes, such as eating habit changes or diet diversity, variety, and quality. However, this study unveils only marginal effects on food security, and detrimental effects on educational outcomes. Finally, it does not provide conclusive effects on health. pp. 7–38

Keywords: nutritional programs; impact evaluation; propensity score; anthropometrics; Mexico; Puebla

How to cite: Zaga Szenker, Daniel (2016), “The Impact of Nutritional Programs in Mexico,” American Journal of Medical Research 3(1): 7–38.

Received 14 August 2015 • Received in revised form 27 October 2015
Accepted 27 October 2015 • Available online 10 November 2015

doi:10.22381/AJMR3120161