Nutrition and Health Practice Questions

Q: Which one of the following indicators includes the value of a person's height squared in its formula?

Quetelet's index. ***Quetelet's index*** - **Quetelet's index**, also known as **Body Mass Index (BMI)**, is calculated as **weight (kg) / height (m)²**, thus directly incorporating height squared. - It is widely used to classify individuals as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. - BMI is the most commonly used anthropometric indicator in clinical and public health settings. *Waist-to-hip ratio* - This ratio is calculated by dividing **waist circumference** by **hip circumference**. - It is an indicator of abdominal adiposity and does not use height in its formula. *Ponderal index* - The **Ponderal index** is calculated as **weight (kg) / height (m)³**, which uses height cubed, not squared. - It is often used to assess proportionality in infants and children. - While it includes height, the power is different from Quetelet's index. *Waist circumference* - **Waist circumference** is a direct measurement of the circumference of the abdomen. - It is an indicator of visceral fat and does not include height in its measurement or interpretation.

Q: Consider the following indices : 1. Chandelier index 2. Sullivan's index 3. Waist-hip index 4. Ponderal index Which of the above is/are used for measuring obesity?

3 and 4. ***3 and 4*** - The **waist-hip index** is a measure of **central obesity**, an important risk factor for metabolic diseases, indicating fat distribution. - The **Ponderal index** (or Rohrer's index) takes into account height and weight, similar to **BMI**, and is used to assess **overall adiposity**. *1 and 3* - The **Chandelier index** is not a standard or recognized index for measuring obesity. - While the **waist-hip index** is used, this option incorrectly includes an irrelevant index. *2 and 4* - **Sullivan's index** is related to **disability-free life expectancy** and is not used for measuring obesity. - While the **Ponderal index** is relevant, this option incorrectly includes an irrelevant index. *3 only* - While the **waist-hip index** is indeed used for measuring obesity, limiting the answer to only this index is incorrect because the **Ponderal index** is also a valid measure of obesity. - The question asks for all relevant indices among the given choices, making this option incomplete.

Q: What is the Body Mass Index of a person 150 cm tall and weighing 67.5 kg?

30. ***30*** - The Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated using the formula: **weight (kg) / [height (m)]²**. - For a person weighing **67.5 kg** and standing **1.5 m (150 cm)** tall, the calculation is **67.5 / (1.5)² = 67.5 / 2.25 = 30**. - A BMI of **30** represents the threshold for **Obesity Class I** according to WHO classification (BMI ≥30). *24* - This value falls in the **normal to overweight range** (BMI 18.5-24.9 is normal) but is incorrect for the given measurements. - To achieve a BMI of 24 at 150 cm height, the person would need to weigh approximately **54 kg**, not 67.5 kg. *27* - This BMI would indicate **overweight** (BMI 25-29.9), but it is not the accurate calculation for the provided weight and height. - To achieve a BMI of 27 at 150 cm height, the person would need to weigh approximately **60.75 kg**, not 67.5 kg. *33* - A BMI of 33 indicates **Obesity Class I** (BMI 30-34.9), but it is higher than the correct calculation for the given parameters. - To achieve a BMI of 33 at 150 cm height, the person would need to weigh approximately **74.25 kg**, not 67.5 kg.

Q: Which of the following anthropometrical measurements is/are carried out to assess the growth of children under five years of age? 1. Weight measurement 2. Height measurement 3. Mid upper arm circumference Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1, 2 and 3. ***1, 2 and 3*** - **Weight, height, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC)** are all standard anthropometric measurements used to assess the growth and nutritional status of children under five years of age. - These measurements help identify **underweight, stunted growth, and acute malnutrition** (wasting) in young children. *1 and 2 only* - While **weight and height** are fundamental for growth assessment, excluding MUAC misses a crucial measure for identifying **acute malnutrition**, particularly in community settings. - MUAC is especially valuable for quick screening for **severe acute malnutrition (SAM)**. *1 only* - Measuring only **weight** provides information about overall nutritional status but doesn't differentiate between **wasting (low weight-for-height)** and **stunting (low height-for-age)**, which are distinct growth problems. - **Height** is essential to understand cumulative growth and identify stunting. *2 and 3 only* - Omitting **weight measurement** would significantly hinder a comprehensive assessment of a child's growth and nutritional status. - **Weight** is a primary indicator for tracking growth velocity and identifying both underweight and overweight conditions.

Q: For a child aged four years, an Anganwadi Worker detects that the weight is lower than expected. What should the Anganwadi Worker do first regarding the malnutrition detected in the child?

Give nutritional counselling to the mother. ***Give nutritional counselling to the mother*** - As an Anganwadi Worker, the **first and most immediate action** for detected malnutrition in a four-year-old child is to provide **nutritional counseling** to the mother. This empowers the caregiver with knowledge and practical advice on improving the child's diet and feeding practices at home. - Counseling can address issues such as **appropriate food choices**, frequency of feeding, overcoming feeding difficulties, and hygiene, which are often at the root of mild to moderate malnutrition. *Refer the child to the nearby Health Centre* - Referring to a health center is essential if the malnutrition is **severe** or if there are **associated medical complications** requiring clinical evaluation and treatment. - However, for initial detection, especially in cases that might be mild, basic nutritional guidance from an Anganwadi Worker is the primary step before escalating to a medical referral. *Start fortnightly deworming* - Deworming is an important public health measure to reduce parasitic load, which can contribute to malnutrition, but it is not the **first and most direct intervention** for managing detected low weight. - While beneficial as part of a comprehensive strategy, deworming alone does not address immediate dietary deficiencies or feeding practices contributing to low weight. *Refer the child a nearby nutritional rehabilitation centre* - Referral to a nutritional rehabilitation center (NRC) is typically reserved for children with **severe acute malnutrition (SAM)** who require intensive, structured feeding and medical management. - For a child whose weight is simply detected as "lower than expected" (which could be moderate or even mild malnutrition), an NRC is usually not the initial or immediate course of action.

Q: Which of the following is/are the methods of assessment of nutritional status? 1. Clinical examination 2. Anthropometry 3. Biochemical evaluation 4. Orthotolidine test Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1, 2 and 3 only. ***1, 2 and 3 only*** - **Clinical examination** involves assessing physical signs of nutrient deficiencies or excesses. This includes inspecting for signs like **pallor** (iron deficiency), **cheilosis** (riboflavin deficiency), or **edema** (protein-energy malnutrition). - **Anthropometry** uses body measurements like **height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and skinfold thickness** to assess body composition and identify abnormalities such as **underweight, overweight, obesity, and stunting**. - **Biochemical evaluation** involves laboratory tests on blood or urine samples to measure nutrient levels (e.g., **serum albumin, ferritin, vitamin D**) or metabolic markers indicative of nutritional status. *1 only* - While **clinical examination** is a crucial component of nutritional assessment, it alone does not provide a comprehensive picture. - It may miss subclinical deficiencies or excesses that require further investigation through other methods. *1 and 3 only* - This option correctly identifies **clinical examination** and **biochemical evaluation** as assessment methods, but it incorrectly excludes **anthropometry**. - **Anthropometry** is fundamental for assessing growth, body composition, and identifying specific nutritional problems like **underweight, obesity, and stunting**. *1, 2, 3 and 4* - This option includes methods 1, 2, and 3, which are indeed correct methods for nutritional assessment. - However, the **Orthotolidine test** (method 4) is used to detect **blood in urine or feces**, specifically for investigating conditions like **gastrointestinal bleeding**, and is not a direct method for assessing general nutritional status.

Q: Which is/are the correct statements regarding the cut off points for the diagnosis of anaemia? 1. Haemoglobin for adult males is 13 g/dl 2. Haemoglobin for adult non-pregnant female is 12 g/dl 3. Haemoglobin for adult pregnant female is 11 g/dl 4. Haemoglobin for children six months to six years of age is 11 g/dl Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1, 2, 3 and 4. ***1, 2, 3 and 4*** - All four statements correctly represent the **World Health Organization (WHO) hemoglobin cut-off points** for diagnosing **anemia** across different population groups. - These standardized values are used globally for **screening, diagnosis, and public health surveillance** of anemia. - **Adult males: <13 g/dL**, **non-pregnant females: <12 g/dL**, **pregnant females: <11 g/dL**, and **children (6 months-6 years): <11 g/dL** are the accepted thresholds. *1 and 3 only* - This option incorrectly excludes statements 2 and 4, which are also valid WHO criteria. - Missing the cut-offs for non-pregnant women (12 g/dL) and young children (11 g/dL) would result in incomplete anemia assessment. *1 only* - This option is far too restrictive, acknowledging only the hemoglobin threshold for adult males. - It ignores the correct and distinct criteria for **women (pregnant and non-pregnant)** and **children**, which are essential for comprehensive anemia diagnosis. *2 and 4 only* - This option incorrectly omits statements 1 and 3, which are equally valid. - Excluding the hemoglobin cut-offs for adult males (13 g/dL) and pregnant women (11 g/dL) provides an incomplete picture of WHO anemia criteria.

Q: What is the correct daily dose of Iron and Folic acid to be prescribed to a child aged 12 years?

60 mg elemental Iron and 300 mcg folic acid. ***60 mg elemental Iron and 300 mcg folic acid*** - This is the **standard daily prophylactic dose** recommended for children aged 10-19 years (adolescents) in India as per **WIFS (Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation) program** when given daily. - Aligns with **ICMR and National Iron+ Initiative** guidelines for daily supplementation in adolescents. - This dose provides adequate iron for growth requirements and prevention of **nutritional anemia** in this age group. *20 mg elemental Iron and 100 mcg folic acid* - This dose is **too low** for a 12-year-old child and does not meet the iron requirements for adolescents. - This might be appropriate for younger children (6-59 months) but is **inadequate for adolescent growth and development**. - Would not effectively prevent iron deficiency anemia in this age group. *100 mg elemental Iron and 500 mcg folic acid* - This is the dose recommended for **weekly prophylactic supplementation** under the WIFS program, not for daily use. - When used daily, this dose may be used for **treatment of established iron deficiency anemia** rather than routine prophylaxis. - Daily use at this dose may cause **gastrointestinal side effects** like nausea and constipation. *30 mg elemental Iron and 250 mcg folic acid* - This dose is **intermediate but not standard** as per Indian guidelines for this age group. - Does not align with recommended protocols for adolescent supplementation. - Provides suboptimal iron for the growth spurt and increased requirements in 12-year-olds.

Q: The most important indicator for assessment of impact in Salt Iodization Programme is:

Testing median urinary iodine excretion. ***Testing median urinary iodine excretion*** - **Urinary iodine excretion** is the most reliable biochemical indicator of recent **iodine intake** and is considered the best measure for assessing the iodine status of a population. - The **median urinary iodine concentration** is used to categorize a population's iodine nutrition status as deficient, adequate, or in excess, providing a direct measure of programme impact. *Testing iodine content of salt at consumer level* - While important for monitoring **salt iodization efforts**, this only reflects the availability of iodized salt, not necessarily the actual **iodine intake** or nutritional status of the consumers. - Salt content can degrade over time due to improper storage, heat, and humidity, leading to discrepancies between the salt's iodine content and the iodine actually consumed. *Testing iodine content of salt at production level* - This is crucial for **quality control** and ensuring compliance with iodization standards at the source. - However, it does not account for potential **iodine loss** during transport, storage, and household use, nor does it directly reflect the population's actual iodine status. *Testing serum iodine levels* - **Serum iodine levels** are primarily regulated by the thyroid gland and are not a sensitive indicator of a population's *recent iodine intake* or overall iodine nutrition status. - These levels are often maintained within a narrow range even with varying intake, making them less useful for monitoring large-scale intervention programmes like **salt iodization**.

Q: The most sensitive indicator of environmental iodine deficiency is

Urinary iodine excretion. ***Urinary iodine excretion*** - **Urinary iodine excretion** reflects recent dietary iodine intake, making it the most sensitive and commonly used indicator for assessing current iodine status in a population. - A median urinary iodine concentration of less than 100 μg/L in a population indicates **iodine deficiency**. *Prevalence of neonatal hypothyroidism* - While reflecting severe iodine deficiency, **neonatal hypothyroidism** occurs later in the deficiency cascade and is not sensitive enough to detect mild to moderate deficiencies early. - It would indicate a long-standing, significant deficiency rather than an early environmental change. *Prevalence of cretinism* - **Cretinism** is a severe and irreversible consequence of prolonged and profound iodine deficiency during critical periods of development (fetal and early infancy). - Its prevalence indicates severe, chronic iodine deficiency and is not a sensitive marker for early or mild environmental iodine deficiency. *Prevalence of goitre* - The **prevalence of goitre** (enlarged thyroid gland) can be used as an indicator of iodine deficiency, but it is less sensitive than urinary iodine excretion. - Goitre develops over a longer period in response to chronic iodine deficiency and may not reflect recent changes in environmental iodine levels.

Question 1

Which one of the following indicators includes the value of a person's height squared in its formula?

Accepted Answer

Quetelet's index

Answer

Waist-to-hip ratio

Answer

Ponderal index

Answer

Waist circumference

Question 2

Consider the following indices :

1. Chandelier index
2. Sullivan's index
3. Waist-hip index
4. Ponderal index
Which of the above is/are used for measuring obesity?

Accepted Answer

3 and 4

Answer

1 and 3

Answer

2 and 4

Answer

3 only

Question 3

What is the Body Mass Index of a person 150 cm tall and weighing 67.5 kg?

Accepted Answer

30

Answer

24

Answer

27

Answer

33

Question 4

Which of the following anthropometrical measurements is/are carried out to assess the growth of children under five years of age?

1. Weight measurement
2. Height measurement
3. Mid upper arm circumference
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

1 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Question 5

For a child aged four years, an Anganwadi Worker detects that the weight is lower than expected. What should the Anganwadi Worker do first regarding the malnutrition detected in the child?

Accepted Answer

Give nutritional counselling to the mother

Answer

Refer the child to the nearby Health Centre

Answer

Start fortnightly deworming

Answer

Refer the child to a nearby nutritional rehabilitation centre

Question 6

Which of the following is/are the methods of assessment of nutritional status?

1. Clinical examination
2. Anthropometry
3. Biochemical evaluation
4. Orthotolidine test

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3 only

Answer

1 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 7

Which is/are the correct statements regarding the cut off points for the diagnosis of anaemia?

1. Haemoglobin for adult males is 13 g/dl

2. Haemoglobin for adult non-pregnant female is 12 g/dl

3. Haemoglobin for adult pregnant female is 11 g/dl

4. Haemoglobin for children six months to six years of age is 11 g/dl
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Accepted Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

1 only

Answer

2 and 4 only

Question 8

What is the correct daily dose of Iron and Folic acid to be prescribed to a child aged 12 years?

Accepted Answer

60 mg elemental Iron and 300 mcg folic acid

Answer

30 mg elemental Iron and 250 mcg folic acid

Answer

20 mg elemental Iron and 100 mcg folic acid

Answer

100 mg elemental Iron and 500 mcg folic acid

Question 9

The most important indicator for assessment of impact in Salt Iodization Programme is:

Accepted Answer

Testing median urinary iodine excretion

Answer

Testing Iodine content of salt at consumer level

Answer

Testing iodine content of salt at production level

Answer

Testing serum iodine levels

Question 10

The most sensitive indicator of environmental iodine deficiency is

Accepted Answer

Urinary iodine excretion

Answer

Prevalence of neonatal hypothyroidism

Answer

Prevalence of cretinism

Answer

Prevalence of goitre

Nutrition and Health — MCQs

Nutrition and Health — MCQs

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