Correct Answer: B. Infant mortality rate
The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a multidimensional tool developed by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) to measure and track hunger at global, regional, and national levels. It comprises four key indicators: (1) Undernourishment (percentage of undernourished population), (2) Child Wasting (percentage of children under 5 with low weight-for-height), (3) Child Stunting (percentage of children under 5 with low height-for-age), and (4) Child Mortality (under-5 mortality rate). Notably, infant mortality rate is NOT a component of the GHI. While infant mortality is an important public health indicator reflecting overall child survival and health system quality, the GHI specifically uses under-5 mortality as its mortality metric because it captures a broader age range and better reflects the nutritional status of young children. India's GHI score has improved from 28.2 (2014) to 29.1 (2023), though it remains in the "serious" hunger category. The distinction between infant mortality (deaths <1 year) and under-5 mortality (deaths <5 years) is critical for understanding GHI methodology.
Why the other options are wrong
A. Percentage of undernourished population — This is a core component of GHI, representing the proportion of the population with insufficient caloric intake. It directly measures the prevalence of hunger and is one of the four pillars of the index. This option is a correct component, making it an incorrect answer to the question asking what is NOT included. C. Under 5 mortality — This is explicitly one of the four indicators in the GHI framework. Under-5 mortality reflects child survival and is sensitive to nutritional deficiencies, making it a key outcome measure of hunger. The GHI uses this metric rather than infant mortality because it captures a wider age range affected by malnutrition. D. Percentage of undernourished children under 5 years — This represents child wasting and stunting—two of the four core GHI indicators. These anthropometric measures directly assess the nutritional status of young children and are weighted heavily in the index. This option is a correct component, making it an incorrect answer to what is NOT included.
High-Yield Facts
- GHI comprises four indicators: undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting, and under-5 mortality—NOT infant mortality.
- Infant mortality measures deaths <1 year; under-5 mortality measures deaths <5 years—GHI uses the latter to capture broader nutritional impact.
- India's GHI score (2023): 29.1, ranking 111th globally in the 'serious' hunger category, reflecting persistent malnutrition despite economic growth.
- GHI is published annually by IFPRI and is used to track progress toward SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and guide policy interventions in developing nations.
- Child anthropometry (wasting and stunting) is weighted more heavily in GHI than mortality because it directly reflects current nutritional deficiency.
Mnemonics
GHI-4: The Four Pillars Undernourishment, Wasting, Stunting, Under-5 mortality = UWSU. Remember: NOT infant mortality—it's the broader under-5 age group that captures nutritional impact. Mortality Trap Infant = <1 year (NOT in GHI). Under-5 = <5 years (IN GHI). The index uses the wider net to catch malnutrition-related deaths across early childhood.
NBE Trap
NBE exploits the natural association between infant mortality and child health indices. Students familiar with infant mortality as a key development indicator may assume it's part of GHI, not recognizing that the index specifically uses the broader under-5 mortality metric to better capture nutritional deficiency effects.
Clinical Pearl
In India, while infant mortality has declined (from 47 per 1000 live births in 2014 to 28 in 2023), under-5 mortality remains elevated at 34 per 1000 live births, reflecting persistent malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies—this is why GHI tracks under-5 mortality as a more sensitive indicator of hunger's impact on child survival.
_Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, Ch. 10 (International Health & Global Health Indicators); IFPRI Global Hunger Index Technical Notes_