Question

Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and other one labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A) : Wasting is considered as an index of chronic long duration undernutrition.
Reason (R) : Common childhood morbidities like diarrhoea, respiratory infections can lead to weight loss and wasting.

• A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
• B. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
• C. (A) is true but (R) is false.
• D. (A) is false but (R) is true.

Hint:

Remember: Wasting = Acute (short-term, rapid weight loss due to illness/famine). Stunting = Chronic (long-term, stunted height due to prolonged poor nutrition).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Nutritional status in children is assessed using different anthropometric indicators:
- Wasting (low weight-for-height) reflects acute, short-duration nutritional deficit or illness.
- Stunting (low height-for-age) reflects chronic, long-duration undernutrition.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate the Assertion and Reason individually:
- Assertion (A): "Wasting is considered as an index of chronic long duration undernutrition."
This is scientifically false.
Wasting indicates a rapid, substantial weight loss or failure to gain weight, representing an acute, short-term nutritional deficit, often triggered by starvation or illness.
Stunting is the indicator for chronic, long-term undernutrition.
- Reason (R): "Common childhood morbidities like diarrhoea, respiratory infections can lead to weight loss and wasting."
This is true.
Acute illnesses like diarrhea or respiratory tract infections cause poor nutrient absorption, loss of appetite, and metabolic stress, leading to rapid weight loss (wasting) in children.
Since the Assertion is false and the Reason is true, the correct option is (D).

Step 3: Final Answer:
Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.