Passage

Malnutrition most commonly occurs between the ages of six months and two years. This happens despite a child’s food requirements being less than that of an older child. Malnutrition is often attributed to poverty, but it has been found that even in households where adults eat adequate quantities of food, more than 50 percent of children under five do not consume enough food. The child’s dependence on someone else to feed him/her is primarily responsible for the malnutrition. Very often the mother is working and the responsibility of feeding the young child is left to an older sibling. It is therefore crucial to increase awareness regarding the child’s food needs and how to satisfy them.

QUESTION

CSAT

Easy

Comprehension

Prelims 2013

According to the passage, malnutrition in children can be reduced

Select an option to attempt

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. The passage mentions that malnutrition occurs due to inadequate food intake among children, even when household adults have enough food. Regular intake of food is implied as necessary but not sufficient to reduce malnutrition since awareness of food needs is also critical.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The passage does not link malnutrition reduction to the age of five. Instead, it highlights that malnutrition is most common between six months and two years, emphasizing the importance of nutrition during this period.

Statement 3 is correct. The passage emphasizes increasing awareness about the food needs of young children as a crucial factor in addressing malnutrition. Understanding and satisfying these needs directly addresses the core issue.

Statement 4 is incorrect. While the passage discusses how leaving the responsibility of feeding children to older siblings can contribute to malnutrition, it does not explicitly state that shifting this responsibility to adults will solve the problem. Awareness of children's food needs is highlighted as more critical.