The survey has found that 89 per cent of children between the formative ages of 6-23 months do not receive a “minimum acceptable diet’’
This is only marginally better than the 90.4 per cent recorded in NFHS-4.
Among all states and Union Territories, the proportion of children aged 6-23 months who received a minimum acceptable diet was highest in Meghalaya (28.5 per cent) and the lowest in UP and Gujarat (5.9 per cent each).
Apart from Gujarat and UP, 5 other states Assam (7.2 per cent), Rajasthan (8.3 per cent), Maharashtra (8.9 per cent), Andhra Pradesh (9 per cent), MP (9 per cent) recorded a lower than national-level proportion (11 per cent) of children receiving adequate diet.
Among the top-five states where the percentage of children from 6-23 months receiving adequate diet was highest, Meghalaya was followed by Sikkim (23.8 per cent), Kerala (23.3 per cent), Ladakh (23.1 per cent) and Puducherry (22.9 per cent).
The minimum acceptable diet is a composite of two main things: breastfeeding and its frequency up to two years, and dietary diversity.
A child needs at least four of the food groups indicated by the WHO every day to have a minimum acceptable diet
Deficiency in diet in a child’s formative years has a direct bearing on malnutrition. This is the most direct indicator of child malnutrition — stunting, wasting and underweight children — and India has one of the highest malnutrition burdens in the world
Age Pyramid of India
India’s population remains young, with more than one-fourth aged less than 15 years and less than an eighth over 60
There has been only a slight dip in the young, the under-15 population has declined by 2 percentage points, from 29% to 27%, while the over-60 population has increased by as many points, from 10% to 12%.
Over half the population (52%) is below 30, compared to 55.5% in NFHS-4.
The age pyramid shows India’s population is young, which, NFHS-5 notes, is typical of developing countries with low life expectancy.
Households
The average household size has decreased slightly between 2015-16 and 2019-21 (from 4.6 persons to 4.4).
Just over one-sixth of households (18%) have female heads, up from 15% in NFHS-4.
Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Q.1) As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements (2018)
Rajasthan has the highest percentage share of agricultural households among its rural households.
Out of the total agricultural households in the country, a little over 60 percent belong to OBCs.
In Kerala, a little over 60 percent of agricultural households reported to have received maximum income from sources other than agricultural activities.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
2 and 3
2 only
1 and 3
1, 2 and 3
Q.2) Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)? (2017)
It decides the RBI’s benchmark interest rates.
It is a 12-member body including the Governor of RBI and is reconstituted every year.
It functions under the chairmanship of the Union Finance Minister.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
