Risk of low birth weight associated with family poverty in Korea

The primary purpose of our study is to examine the effects of family poverty on low birth weight using individual-level data from a longitudinal survey based on nationally representative sample in Korea. In this paper, we also aim to extend our understanding of the relationship between poverty and low birth weight by examining what factors mediate the effects of poverty on low birth weight. We find that there is a significant relationship between family poverty and the likelihood of low birth weight. Even after controlling for other sociodemographic variables in our models, we find that family poverty is a strong predictor of a low birth weight birth. We also find that mother's depression partially mediates the effect of poverty on low birth weight. Our results suggest that more prevention-based prenatal services are needed for low income pregnant women in Korea. Comprehensive prenatal services that include parental education, counseling, nutritional services, screening services, and home visitation can be an effective policy tool to prevent low birth weight births.