Which of the following is the BEST single indicator of the nutritional status of a community according to the WHO?

• A Infant mortality rate (IMR) ✓
• B Adult BMI distribution
• C Under-5 mortality rate
• D Proportion of low birth weight neonates

Explanation

The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), defined as deaths of infants under 1 year per 1000 live births, is considered by WHO as the best single indicator of socioeconomic development and overall health of a community, reflecting nutrition, sanitation, maternal health, and healthcare access. While Under-5 Mortality Rate is now preferred by UNICEF for child survival tracking, IMR remains the WHO gold standard for community health.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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