How Effective are Cash Transfers at Improving Nutritional Status?

Cash transfer programs have not always affected children's nutritional status. We reviewed 30,000 articles relating cash transfer programs and height for age, finding 21 papers on 17 programs. Applying meta-analysis we examine the overarching relationship, finding that the programs' average impact on height-for-age is positive, but small and not statistically significant. We evaluate many programs, child and local characteristics' correlation with estimated outcome. Conditional programs statistically accomplish the same as unconditional. However, conditionalities not related to health or education strongly inhibit child growth. We see girls benefiting more than boys and more disadvantaged areas benefiting more. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.