Level of malnutrition:
- The condition in which the food taken by individuals lack proper nutrition i.e. the food lacks sufficient calories, protein, carbohydrate, vitamin and minerals is called malnutrition.
- India’s per capita income is low and there exists a wide spread income disparity. Hence, in spite of rise in agricultural production people with low income are unable to get nutritive food i.e. they suffer from malnutrition.
The table below shows percentage of malnutrition among Indian population:
Measurement of Malnourished People (in percentage)
Year |
Total malnourished people (in percentage) |
1990-92 |
23.7 |
2000-02 |
17.5 |
2005-07 |
20.5 |
2010-12 |
15.6 |
2014-16 |
15.2 |
Source: Economic Survey, 2015-16
- According to above table in the time span of 1990-92 India had total 23.7% of malnourished people. Over years this has reduced to 15.2% but still this is a very large number.
- According to the report of 2015 of FAO on world food safety, India ranks 2nd in terms of malnourishment at world level.
- Thus, malnutrition is a strong indicator of poverty.