Question

The following table shows the proportion of adults (aged 15-49 years) whose BMI is below normal (BMI < 18.5 kg/m² ) in India. It is based on a survey of various states for the year 2019-21. Look at the table and answer the following questions.

State	Male (%)	Female (%)
Kerala	8.5	10
Karnataka	17	21
Madhya Pradesh	28	28
All States	20	23

1. Compare the nutritional level of people in Kerala and Madhya Pradesh
2. Can you guess why around one-fifth of people in the country are undernourished, even though it is argued that there is enough food in the country? Describe in your own words.

Answer 1

1. Kerala has a significantly better nutritional status than Madhya Pradesh, as seen by a far lower proportion of malnourished adults. According to the table, just 8.5% of males and 10% of females in Kerala have a BMI below normal, which is significantly lower than the national average. In contrast, Madhya Pradesh is experiencing a severe undernutrition crisis, with a much higher percentage of 28% for both males and females falling below the healthy threshold. This striking difference reveals that Kerala has significantly superior health, nutrition, and food security than Madhya Pradesh.
2. Even though India produces adequate amounts of food grains to feed its population, about one-fifth of its adults are malnourished due to food distribution inefficiencies, widespread poverty, and significant socioeconomic disparities. Many states’ Public Distribution Systems (PDS) are inefficient, which means that ration shops frequently fail to distribute subsidized food to the poorest families in need. Furthermore, even when food is plentiful in local markets, acute poverty denies millions of people the purchasing power they need to afford balanced, nutrient-dense meals.