Nutrition and Health Practice Questions

Q: Under the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) scheme, what is the composition of IFA tablets given to children aged 10-19 years?

60 mg elemental iron + 500 µg folic acid. ***Correct: 60 mg elemental iron + 500 µg folic acid*** - This tablet composition is specifically designated for the **Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS)** program, targeting schoolchildren and adolescents (10-19 years). - The tablets provided for this age group are characteristically **blue** in color. - Given **once weekly** as prophylactic supplementation to prevent anemia in this vulnerable age group. *Incorrect: 60 mg elemental iron + 100 µg folic acid* - This composition (often a pink tablet) is typically used for the treatment of **anemia in children** aged 6 months to 5 years under the National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI). - The dose of **folic acid (100 µg)** is insufficient for the adolescent WIFS scheme. *Incorrect: 100 mg elemental iron + 500 µg folic acid* - This is the standard dose of IFA recommended for routine supplementation in **pregnant women** starting from the second trimester. - The **red tablet** contains both higher elemental iron (**100 mg**) and appropriate folic acid (500 µg) for pregnancy needs. - The iron content is significantly higher than the **60 mg** prescribed for weekly adolescent prophylaxis. *Incorrect: 100 mg elemental iron + 100 µg folic acid* - This particular combination does not align with the standardized dosage protocols under the NIPI/WIFS guidelines. - Neither the iron content (**100 mg** - too high) nor the folic acid content (**100 µg** - too low) matches the adolescent WIFS requirements.

Q: Which of the following food adulterant leads to this clinical finding? (Recent NEET Pattern 2016-17)

Argemone mexicana. ***Argemone mexicana*** - The image on the left shows the seeds of *Argemone mexicana*, which are known to be adulterants in mustard oil. - Consumption of mustard oil adulterated with *Argemone mexicana* seeds (or their oil) causes **epidemic dropsy**, characterized by **edema** (swelling), particularly in the lower extremities, as depicted in the right image of swollen feet. *Lathyrus sativus* - Consumption of *Lathyrus sativus* (Khesari dal) causes **lathyrism**, which primarily affects the **nervous system**, leading to **paralysis** of the lower limbs, rather than edema. - The clinical findings of lathyrism do not typically include the widespread edema shown in the image. *Aflatoxin* - **Aflatoxins** are mycotoxins produced by fungi, commonly found in contaminated crops like peanuts, corn, and spices. - Aflatoxin poisoning primarily causes **hepatotoxicity** (liver damage), including cirrhosis and liver cancer, and does not commonly present with widespread edema as seen in the clinical image. *Pyrrolizidine alkaloids* - **Pyrrolizidine alkaloids** are found in various plant species and can contaminate food products. - These alkaloids are primarily known for causing **veno-occlusive disease of the liver**, leading to liver damage and portal hypertension, but not the general anasarca pictured.

Q: The following instrument is used for the measurement of: (Recent NEET Pattern 2016-17)

Skin fold thickness. ***Skin fold thickness*** - The instrument shown is a **skin fold caliper**, specifically designed to measure the thickness of subcutaneous fat at various body sites. - This measurement is used to estimate **body fat percentage** and assess nutritional status. *Head circumference* - Head circumference is measured using a **flexible measuring tape**, not a caliper, to assess head growth and detect conditions like microcephaly or hydrocephalus. - This instrument's design is unsuitable for measuring a large, curved circumference. *Chest circumference* - Chest circumference is also measured with a **flexible measuring tape** around the chest, typically at the nipple line, to assess growth and respiratory function. - The caliper's limited span makes it impractical for measuring the chest. *Mid arm circumference* - Mid-arm circumference is measured using a **flexible measuring tape** around the mid-upper arm to assess nutritional status, especially in children. - While a caliper could measure arm *thickness*, it doesn't provide the circumference directly, which is the standard measurement.

Q: Act pertaining to symbol shown in the image given below was enacted in: (Recent NEET Pattern 2016-17)

2006. ***2006*** - The image displays the logo for **FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India)**. - The **Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA)** was enacted in **2006** to consolidate various acts and orders that had hitherto handled food-related issues in various Ministries and Departments. - This Act replaced the earlier Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. *2003* - This is not the year of enactment of the Food Safety and Standards Act. *2011* - While FSSAI became fully operational in 2011, the **Food Safety and Standards Act was enacted in 2006**. *1954* - This was the year the **Prevention of Food Adulteration Act** was enacted, which was subsequently replaced by the FSSA, 2006.

Q: The following symbol depicts:

Bureau of Indian Standards. ***Bureau of Indian Standards*** - The image displays the official **logo of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)**, which includes the Hindi phrase "**मानक: पथप्रदर्शकः**" meaning "Standards: The Guiding Light." - BIS is the **national standards body of India** responsible for the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking, and quality certification of goods. *Agmark Standard* - **Agmark** is a certification mark employed on agricultural products in India, assuring their quality and purity. - The Agmark logo typically features **two hands holding a sheaf of wheat** or other grain, which is distinctly different from the given image. *Prevention of food adulteration* - The "Prevention of Food Adulteration" (PFA) Act was a former Indian law aimed at **preventing misbranding and adulteration of food articles**. - While related to food safety, it does not have a specific, universally recognized symbol as depicted in the question. *ISI Standard* - The **ISI mark** is a certification mark for industrial products in India, indicating conformity to Indian Standards. - The ISI mark is issued by BIS, but it is a specific certification mark for products, whereas the given image is the broader organizational logo of the **Bureau of Indian Standards**.

Q: What is the stage of Lathyrism shown below?

Stage III. ***Stage III*** - The image shows the patient using one stick for support to walk. This inability to walk without support indicates **Stage III lathyrism** ("stick stage"). - In this stage, individuals experience significant motor dysfunction, requiring assistive devices due to **muscle spasticity** and weakness in the lower limbs. *Stage I* - Stage I, or the "knife stage," involves difficulty in walking and gait changes, but the individual is still able to walk without external support. - Patients can walk on their toes using **flexed knees**, but they can't place their heels on the ground. *Stage II* - Stage II, or the "jump stage," is characterized by the need to support oneself with both hands while walking, often by holding onto furniture or walls. - Individuals may exhibit **scissoring gait** and difficulty with balance, but they can still manage to move independently without external devices. *Stage IV* - Stage IV, known as the "crawler stage," represents the most severe form where the individual can no longer stand or walk, only capable of **crawling** on all fours. - This stage is marked by complete or near-complete paralysis of the lower limbs due to irreversible neurological damage.

Q: Which of the following can be monitored using this tape?

Nutritional status. ***Nutritional status*** - The tape shown is a **mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) tape**, a simple tool used to assess **nutritional status**, especially in children and pregnant women. - The colored segments (red, yellow, green) indicate different levels of **malnutrition**, with red typically signifying severe acute malnutrition. - MUAC is a **WHO-recommended screening tool** for detecting acute malnutrition in community and clinical settings. *Ascites* - **Ascites** is the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, which is typically monitored through abdominal girth measurements or clinical examination, not a MUAC tape. - While a MUAC tape measures circumference, it is specifically designed for the mid-upper arm and its readings are calibrated for nutritional assessment, not abdominal fluid detection. *Skull growth* - **Skull growth** (head circumference) is measured using a standard measuring tape placed around the widest part of the head, primarily to monitor brain development in infants and young children. - The MUAC tape is not designed or suitable for measuring head circumference. *Height* - **Height** (or length in young children) is measured using a stadiometer or an infant measuring board, which are specialized tools for linear measurements. - The MUAC tape is a circumferential measurement tool and cannot be used to assess height.

Q: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched a programme to meet the challenge of high prevalence of anaemia amongst adolescent boys and girls. Consider the following statements in relation to the key interventions being undertaken : I. It entails supervised weekly administration of 100 mg elemental iron and 500 mu g folic acid. II. These weekly iron-folic acid supplements are administered by using a fixed day approach. III. It entails supervised administration of Albendazole 400 mg every three months for control of helminth infestation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

I and II. ***Correct: I and II*** - The **Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS)** program targets adolescent boys and girls for anaemia control - **Statement I is correct:** The program involves supervised weekly administration of **100 mg elemental iron** and **500 μg folic acid** - **Statement II is correct:** Supplements are administered using a **fixed-day approach** (e.g., every Wednesday) to ensure adherence and systematic implementation - Both statements accurately reflect the core interventions of the WIFS program *Incorrect: I only* - This is incomplete as it excludes Statement II, which describes the crucial fixed-day implementation strategy - While the supplementation dosage is correct, the delivery mechanism (fixed day) is equally important *Incorrect: II only* - This misses the essential component of the actual supplementation (iron and folic acid dosage) - The fixed-day approach alone without the supplementation details is incomplete *Incorrect: I and III* - **Statement III is incorrect:** Albendazole 400 mg for deworming is administered **twice yearly (every 6 months)**, NOT every 3 months - While deworming is part of the comprehensive WIFS strategy, the frequency stated in Statement III is inaccurate - Only Statement I is correct in this combination

Q: Which one of the following is the major contributor to the total energy intake, in terms of energy provided, in an average Indian diet?

Carbohydrates. ***Carbohydrates*** - **Carbohydrates** are the primary source of energy in an average Indian diet, mainly from staple foods like rice, wheat, and millets. - They provide approximately **4 kcal/gram** and constitute the bulk of daily caloric intake for most individuals in India. *Proteins* - While essential for growth and repair, **proteins** are typically consumed in smaller quantities than carbohydrates in the average Indian diet. - They provide about **4 kcal/gram**, but total protein intake often contributes less to overall energy compared to carbohydrates. *Fats* - **Fats** are the most energy-dense macronutrient, providing **9 kcal/gram**, but their overall contribution to total energy intake is usually less than that of carbohydrates. - The typical Indian diet emphasizes carbohydrate-rich vegetarian staples, with fats often used for cooking rather than forming the primary energy source. *Vitamins* - **Vitamins** are micronutrients essential for various bodily functions and do not provide any direct energy (calories). - They are crucial for metabolic processes but are not considered a source of energy intake.

Question 1

According to the WHO definition, what is the recommended indicator for assessing the nutritional status of a community?

Accepted Answer

Weight-for-height Z-score for children under 5

Answer

Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) for children

Answer

All of the above

Answer

Body Mass Index (BMI) for adults

Question 2

Under the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) scheme, what is the composition of IFA tablets given to children aged 10-19 years?

Accepted Answer

60 mg elemental iron + 500 µg folic acid

Answer

100 mg elemental iron + 100 µg folic acid

Answer

60 mg elemental iron + 100 µg folic acid

Answer

100 mg elemental iron + 500 µg folic acid

Question 3

Which of the following food adulterant leads to this clinical finding? (Recent NEET Pattern 2016-17)

Accepted Answer

Argemone mexicana

Answer

Lathyrus sativus

Answer

Aflatoxin

Answer

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids

Question 4

The following instrument is used for the measurement of: (Recent NEET Pattern 2016-17)

Accepted Answer

Skin fold thickness

Answer

Head circumference

Answer

Chest circumference

Answer

Mid arm circumference

Question 5

Act pertaining to symbol shown in the image given below was enacted in: (Recent NEET Pattern 2016-17)

Accepted Answer

2006

Answer

2003

Answer

2011

Answer

1954

Question 6

The following symbol depicts:

Accepted Answer

Bureau of Indian Standards

Answer

Agmark Standard

Answer

Prevention of food adulteration

Answer

ISI Standard

Question 7

What is the stage of Lathyrism shown below?

Accepted Answer

Stage III

Answer

Stage II

Answer

Stage I

Answer

Stage IV

Question 8

Which of the following can be monitored using this tape?

Accepted Answer

Nutritional status

Answer

Ascites

Answer

Skull growth

Answer

Height

Question 9

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched a programme to meet the challenge of high prevalence of anaemia amongst adolescent boys and girls. Consider the following statements in relation to the key interventions being undertaken :
I. It entails supervised weekly administration of 100 mg elemental iron and 500 mu g folic acid.
II. These weekly iron-folic acid supplements are administered by using a fixed day approach.
III. It entails supervised administration of Albendazole 400 mg every three months for control of helminth infestation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

I and II

Answer

I only

Answer

I and III

Answer

II only

Question 10

Which one of the following is the major contributor to the total energy intake, in terms of energy provided, in an average Indian diet?

Accepted Answer

Carbohydrates

Answer

Proteins

Answer

Fats

Answer

Vitamins

Nutrition and Health — MCQs

Nutrition and Health — MCQs

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