Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/103499 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2014
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 8494
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
The fetal origins hypothesis (hereafter FOH), put forward in the epidemiological literature and later flourished in the economics literature, suggests that the time in utero is a critical period for human development. However, much attention has been paid to the consequences of fetal exposures to more extreme natural shocks, while less is known about fetal exposures to milder but more commonly experienced social shocks. Using two examples of under-nutrition due to mild social shocks, i.e. Ramadan fasting and festival overspending, this paper summarizes our current knowledge, especially the contribution from economics, and key challenges in exploring fetal exposures to milder social shocks. I also discuss the salient added value of identifying milder versus more extreme fetal shocks. Finally, implications are drawn on individual decisions and public policy to improve children's well-being before they are born or even before their mothers realize that they are pregnant.
Subjects: 
in Utero
maternal fasting
Ramadan
gift
ceremonies
early childhood development
JEL: 
I14
I18
Z12
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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