Food And Nutrition

Concept: Vitamin A is an essential nutrient required for maintaining healthy vision, immune function, and proper growth. A severe deficiency of Vitamin A can lead to various eye disorders. One of the most serious conditions caused by Vitamin A deficiency is Xerophthalmia, which affects the eyes and can lead to blindness if untreated.
Step 1: Understand Xerophthalmia.
Xerophthalmia is a condition characterized by dryness of the eye, particularly the cornea and conjunctiva, due to a lack of Vitamin A. Symptoms include:

• Dryness of the cornea
• Rough and thickened eye surface
• Bitot’s spots (foamy patches on the eye)

Step 2: Differentiate from other conditions.

• Night Blindness – Difficulty seeing in low light conditions.
• Rickets – Bone deformities caused by Vitamin D deficiency.
• Scurvy – Disease caused by Vitamin C deficiency.

Step 3: Conclusion.
Since severe Vitamin A deficiency causes dryness and roughness of the cornea, the condition is called:

Concept: Nutrition can be provided to patients through different methods depending on their medical condition. When the digestive system cannot be used for feeding, nutrients may be supplied directly into the bloodstream. This method of feeding is known as Parenteral Nutrition.
Step 1: Understand Parenteral Nutrition.
Parenteral nutrition involves delivering nutrients such as:

• Glucose
• Amino acids
• Lipids
• Vitamins and minerals

directly into the veins through intravenous (IV) infusion.
Step 2: Differentiate from Enteral Nutrition.

• Enteral Nutrition – Food is delivered through the gastrointestinal tract using feeding tubes.
• Parenteral Nutrition – Nutrients bypass the digestive system and are delivered directly into the bloodstream.

Step 3: Conclusion.
Since the diet described involves administering nutrients directly into the veins, it is called:

Concept: POSHAN Abhiyaan (Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition) is a flagship program of the Government of India aimed at improving nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. The mission focuses on reducing:

• Stunting
• Under-nutrition
• Anaemia
• Low birth weight

Step 1: Launch of the program.
POSHAN Abhiyaan was officially launched by the Government of India on 8 March 2018, coinciding with International Women's Day.
Step 2: Objective of the scheme.
The program aims to improve nutritional status through:

• Convergence of various nutrition-related schemes
• Use of technology for monitoring
• Community participation and awareness

Step 3: Conclusion.
Since POSHAN Abhiyaan was launched in 2018, the correct answer is: