Topic: Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
Q3. “The persistence of child malnutrition reflects structural deficits in public health, nutrition and social development.” Discuss. (15 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: IE
Why the question
NFHS-6 findings have highlighted both progress and persistent concerns in child nutrition, bringing renewed attention to the structural factors influencing nutritional outcomes in India.
Key Demand of the question
The question requires examining how structural deficiencies in public health, nutrition and social development contribute to child malnutrition. It also requires discussing the challenges that continue to impede progress and suggesting measures for sustainable improvement.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Briefly link child nutrition with human capital formation, public health and socio-economic development.
Body
- Structural deficits: Mention shortcomings in health systems, nutrition practices and socio-economic development that perpetuate malnutrition.
- Challenges: Highlight governance, behavioural, regional disparity, service delivery and emerging socio-economic challenges affecting nutritional outcomes.
- Way forward: Suggest measures relating to convergence, maternal and child care, dietary improvement, behavioural change and data-driven governance.
Conclusion
Emphasise that eliminating child malnutrition requires a holistic human development approach rather than isolated nutrition interventions.
