Understanding the Global Hunger Index Indicators

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool that measures and tracks hunger at the global, regional, and national levels. It is calculated annually by IFPRI (International Food Policy Research Institute), Concern Worldwide, and Welthungerhilfe. The GHI is designed to comprehensively capture the multidimensional nature of hunger.

Key Indicators Used in the Global Hunger Index

The Global Hunger Index score is calculated based on a formula that combines four component indicators. These indicators are chosen to reflect deficiencies in calorie availability as well as child malnutrition, which is a major cause of child mortality and is associated with poor health, growth, and cognitive development. The question asks about the indicators used by IFPRI (as part of the group calculating the GHI). Let's look at the indicators listed in the options:

1. Undernourishment: This indicator represents the share of the population whose caloric intake is insufficient. It reflects the overall food availability situation for the population.
2. Child stunting: This indicator is the share of children under the age of five who have low height for their age, reflecting chronic undernutrition or repeated illness. It captures long-term effects of food insecurity.
3. Child mortality: This refers to the mortality rate of children under the age of five. High child mortality rates are often linked to inadequate nutritional intake, poor health conditions, and lack of access to health services, all of which can be consequences of hunger and malnutrition.

The Global Hunger Index uses four indicators:

• Undernourishment (as a percentage of the population)
• Child Stunting (as a percentage of children under five)
• Child Wasting (as a percentage of children under five who have low weight for their height, reflecting acute undernutrition)
• Child Mortality (as a percentage of children under five)

Comparing the list from the options with the actual GHI indicators, we see that:

• Undernourishment is used.
• Child stunting is used.
• Child mortality is used.

The fourth indicator, Child Wasting, was not listed as an option but is also part of the GHI calculation.

Therefore, the indicators from the provided list that are used to compute the Global Hunger Index are Undernourishment, Child stunting, and Child mortality.

Conclusion on GHI Indicators

Based on the methodology for calculating the Global Hunger Index, all three indicators listed in the question—Undernourishment, Child stunting, and Child mortality—are indeed components used in the index calculation.

Revision Table: Global Hunger Index

Additional Information: Measuring Hunger and Malnutrition

Measuring hunger and malnutrition is complex because it involves various factors. The Global Hunger Index provides a standardized way to compare hunger levels across different countries and over time. Each of the four indicators used in the GHI calculation contributes equally to the final score. A higher GHI score indicates a more severe hunger situation.

Understanding these indicators helps in identifying the specific challenges related to hunger and malnutrition in different regions. For instance, a country might have low undernourishment but high child stunting, suggesting issues with diet quality or health rather than just calorie availability.