Nutritional deficiency amongst the poor
Context:
The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) recently released a detailed report based on the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) for 2022-23. This report, along with unit-level data on household consumption expenditure (HCE), provides insights into the quantities of various food items consumed by households and the total value of consumption for different food and non-food items.
- This analysis aims to understand the nutritional levels of households, particularly the poorer sections of society, by converting the quantities of consumed food items into their total calorific value and comparing the estimated per capita daily calorie intake with the average per capita daily calorie requirement for a healthy life.
Relevance:
GS-01 GS-02 (Society, Government policies and interventions)
Dimensions of the Article:
- What is the Issue?
- Why address nutritional deficiency?
- About the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES): 2022-23
- Implications from the HCES
What is the Issue?
- The primary issue highlighted by the HCES is the significant nutritional deficiency among the lower expenditure classes in India.
- Despite various government efforts and welfare programs, a substantial proportion of the population still fails to meet the basic nutritional requirements for a healthy life.
- This deficiency is more pronounced in rural areas than in urban areas, but it remains a critical concern nationwide.
Why address nutritional deficiency?
- Health and Well-being: Adequate nutrition is essential for maintaining good health, physical development, and cognitive function. Malnutrition can lead to various health issues, including stunted growth in children, weakened immune systems, and increased susceptibility to diseases.
- Economic Productivity: A healthy population is more productive, contributing positively to the economy. Malnutrition can reduce work capacity and productivity, leading to economic losses.
- Social Equity: Ensuring that all sections of society, especially the poorest, have access to adequate nutrition is a matter of social justice. It helps in reducing inequality and promoting inclusive growth.
About the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES): 2022-23
- The HCES collected detailed data on household consumption patterns, focusing on both food and non-food items.
- The survey aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the consumption behavior of households across different expenditure classes. Key aspects of the survey include:
- Calorific Value Calculation: The survey data was used to convert the quantities of consumed food items into their total calorific value. This helped in estimating the per capita daily calorie intake of household members.
- Expenditure Classes: Households were categorized into 20 expenditure classes, each comprising 5% of the population, ranging from the poorest to the richest. This categorization enabled a detailed analysis of consumption patterns across different economic strata.
- Poverty Line Definitions: The analysis referenced various committees, including the Lakdawala, Tendulkar, and Rangarajan Committees, to define the poverty line (PL) based on household monthly per capita consumer expenditure (MPCE). These definitions helped in identifying the poor and understanding their consumption patterns.
Implications from the HCES:
- Caloric Intake Shortfall: The analysis revealed that the average per capita daily calorie intake (PCCI) for the poorest 5% and the next poorest 5% in both rural and urban areas falls far short of the average daily per capita calorie requirement (PCCR). This indicates a severe nutritional deficiency among these sections.
- Threshold MPCE: The all-India threshold total MPCE necessary for adequate nutrition and minimum non-food expenditure was estimated to be ₹2,197 for rural areas and ₹3,077 for urban areas. However, if the non-food expenditure of the poorest 10% is considered, the threshold increases, indicating a higher proportion of the population struggling to meet their basic needs.
- Proportion of Poor: Based on these thresholds, the proportion of poor or deprived individuals was estimated to be 17.1% in rural areas and 14% in urban areas. This proportion increases significantly when considering higher non-food expenditures, highlighting the widespread issue of poverty and deprivation.
Suggested Measures
- Targeted Nutritional Programs: The government should implement nutritional schemes specifically targeted at the poorest sections of society. These programs should focus on providing adequate nourishment to improve health outcomes.
- Increase Public Spending on Nutrition: There is a need for increased public spending on nutrition-related programs. This could involve expanding existing schemes like the Public Distribution System (PDS) and integrating them with targeted nutritional interventions.
- Awareness Campaigns: Raising awareness about the importance of nutrition and healthy eating habits is essential. Educational campaigns can help households make better dietary choices within their economic constraints.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Regular monitoring and evaluation of nutritional programs are crucial to ensure their effectiveness.
- Addressing Non-food Expenditures: Along with focusing on nutrition, the government should also address other essential non-food expenditures like education, healthcare, and housing.
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