Characterisation of social networks in rural Timor-Leste and an investigation into their influence on Timorese children’s growth

Social relationships facilitate resource transfers provide flexibility to energy budgets and are integral to responses to varying ecologies. In Timor-Leste, children's growth lags international standards. Household networks may engage resources beyond the household and influence children's growth. Herein, I characterise sharing strategies in Ossu and in Natarbora, Timor-Leste and examine how household networks influence child growth. Interviews captured single month exchanges for 196 households. Kinship networks predominated in both communities, but additional strategies differed. Natarbora shared more than Ossu sharing and positively impacted growth. Cooperation in Natarbora is more general and wider networks may better buffer households from environmental shocks.