Introduction

Much attention has focused recently on the links between nutrition and productivity. In particular, enhanced human capital is seen as a key component of increasing agricultural productivity in developing countries where labour is still a major input into crop production.

Improved health and nutritional status are two elements contributing to this improved human capital.

This paper reviews the evidence on the nutrition/productivity links with a particular emphasis on body mass index (BMI)/productivity relationships. The paper then discusses some newer research related to women's nutritional status and links to productivity. The paper ends with a discussion of the policy implications for future work in this area.