UPSC Prelims 2016 Q2: Current Affairs – International Organisations & Groupings
Which of the following is/are the indicator/indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global
Hunger Index Report?
1. Undernourishment
2. Child stunting
3. Child mortality
Select the correct answer
using the code given below.
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1, 2 and 3
- (d) 1 and 3 only
Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Global Hunger Index (GHI)
First published in 2006 by IFPRI with Welthungerhilfe; Concern Worldwide joined later.
It scores countries from 0 (no hunger) to 100 (worst).
| Indicator | Used in the Global Hunger Index? | Measures |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Undernourishment | Yes | Share of the population with too few calories |
| 2. Child stunting | Yes | Children under five with low height for age |
| 3. Child mortality | Yes | Death rate of children under five |
| Child wasting | Yes (fourth indicator) | Children under five with low weight for height |
Three dimensions:
| Dimension | Indicators |
|---|---|
| Inadequate food supply | Undernourishment |
| Child undernutrition | Stunting and wasting |
| Child mortality | Under-five mortality |
Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Child stunting and child mortality are also indicators.
- (b) Incorrect. Undernourishment is the first indicator of the index.
- (c) CORRECT. Undernourishment, child stunting and child mortality are all used.
- (d) Incorrect. Child stunting is also one of the indicators used by IFPRI.
Key point
Global Hunger Index: four indicators - undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, child mortality; scale 0 to 100.
Remember
GHI = undernourishment + stunting + wasting + child mortality.
Common mistakes
- Confusing stunting (low height for age) with wasting (low weight for height).
- Thinking the index is published by the FAO or the World Food Programme.
- Assuming a higher score is better; a higher score means more hunger.
Exam tip
GHI = one indicator on the whole population + three on children under five.
Sources
- Global Hunger Index — Methodology
- International Food Policy Research Institute — Global Hunger Index 2015