question_answer 1)

The table shows the proportion of undernourished adults in India. It is based on a survey of various states in the country for the year 2001. Look at the table and answer the following questions.  

State	Male (%)	Female (%)
Kerala Karnataka Madhya Pradesh All States	22 36 43 37	19 38 42 36

  (i) Compare the nutritional level of the people in Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.   (ii) Can you guess why around 40% of the people in the country are undernourished even though it is arguedthat there is enough food in the country? Describe in your own words.  

Answer:

(i) The nutritional level of the people of Kerala is significantly higher than that of Madhya Pradesh for both males and females as, the proportion of undernourished adults about half that of Madhya Pradesh.   (ii) There is enough food in the country but even then 40% of the people in the country are undernourished because of the following reasons (a) There is a lack of educational and health facilities in many parts of the country. So, many people remain backward and poor, and so, they are unable to get nutritious food. (b) In most of the states, the Public Distribution System (PDS) does not function properly and the poor people cannot get cheap food items, so they remain undernourished.