Is Income Overrated in Determining Adequate Nutrition?

Abstract

There is now a wide measure of agreement on several broad propositions. Serious and extensive nutritional deficiencies occur in virtually all developing countries, though they are worst in low-income countries. They are usually caused by undernourishment-a shortage of food-not by an imbalance between calories and protein. ... Malnutrition affects old and young, male and female, urban and rural dwellers.... Malnutrition is largely a reflection of poverty: people do not have enough income for food. Given the slow income growth that is likely for the poorest people in the foreseeable future, large numbers will remain malnourished for decades to come. The most efficient long-term policies are those that raise the incomes of the poor, and those that raise food production per person. Other relevant policies include food subsidies, nutrition education, adding minerals or vitamins to salt and other processed foods, and increasing emphasis on producing foods typically consumed by the poor.'