Food poverty and its causes in Pakistan
Mahmood, S.; Sheikh, K.H.; Mahmood, T.
Pakistan Development Review 30(4 Pt 2): 821-832
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-9729 PMID: 12285313 Document Number: 319212
This paper seeks to provide new insights into the causes of poverty and malnutrition in Pakistan by critically evaluating the indices of poverty and assessing the role of traditional diets in malnourishment, as well as examining how the poor perceive hunger and starvation. It posits two essential steps: (1) correct evaluation of the severity of poverty; (2) the collection of maximum information about the causes of poverty. It uses the Foster and Thorbeke model, which utilizes a semi-log function for energy demand to compute the minimum level of food expenditure required to meet the RDA (required daily allowance of energy intake). The paper is divided into four sections. Following an introduction, Section 2 explains the data sources and methodology. Section 3 deals with the analysis. Section 4 concludes the study. It is clear that 'real poor' households should be targeted, but food policies which increase the income level of the poor may or may not increase their nutritional status. A comment by M.H. Malik is appended.