Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
1. Wealth disparities are evident in the malnutrition scenario of the country, Do you think there are gross non-egalitarian malnutrition outcomes owing to it?Discuss in detail the various factors responsible for malnutrition in the country and suggest measures to overcome the same.(250 words)
Why this question:
The article brings out a study on child malnutrition in India by a team of researchers from Cambridge and Harvard University.
Key demand of the question:
Bring out the wealth related nutrition disparities in the country, discuss the various factors responsible for it and analyse what can be done to address the issue.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Present few facts from the studies that highlight the disparities in the nutrition levels; Wealth disparities in underweight children were seen across all districts with Gujarat, Jharkhand and Bihar having the worst disparities and Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur having the least. This observation is important since it brings out the fact that even within well-performing districts, there can be gross non-egalitarian malnutrition outcomes.
Body:
- Explain what Malnutrition is.
- Malnutrition, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), refers to deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients.
- Maternal, infant, and child nutrition play significant roles in the proper growth and development, including the future socio-economic status of the child.
- Discuss the concerns associated in detail.
- Bring out the Indian scenario, the issues that are specific to it.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward by suggesting solutions.
