In previous literature, social capital has been hypothesised as a substitute for other forms of capital, such as physical and human capital. This article contributes to this literature by exploring the significance of mothers' access to social capital via participation in community organisations.

The study, which uses the Peruvian sample of the Young Lives project, suggests that, where human capital is scarce, social capital might have important implications for child development. Maternal social capital is positively associated with height at 1 year of age for those children whose mothers have no formal education. No significant association is found at 5 years of age.

Marta Favara (2017) 'Maternal group participation and child nutritional status in Peru', Review of Development Economics, DOI: 10.1111/rode.12363