Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:-

The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report (2024) revealed that 733 million people faced malnutrition in 2023 — an increase of 152 million since 2019. This trend is linked to food price dynamics. In 2022, the World Bank estimated that a 1% rise in global food prices could push 10 million people into extreme poverty. Rising food costs and inequality have intensified “hidden hunger,” affecting at least 2.8 billion people in 2022 alone. Hidden hunger is a deficiency of essential micronutrients like zinc, iodine, and iron.

The signs of this form of malnutrition are “hidden” as individuals may appear healthy while suffering severe health impacts. Clinical signs emerge only in extreme cases. Traditionally linked to caloric deficiency, hunger is now recognized to include micronutrient inadequacy, which can harm health even without overt signs of disease. The Food Security and Nutrition report highlights that while it may seem intuitive that food-insecure individuals are less likely to maintain a healthy diet, the relationship is complex, shaped by factors like food environments, consumer behavior, and the affordability of nutritious foods.

In some cases, food insecurity is linked to lower consumption of all food types and a higher reliance on staple foods for dietary energy. In others, it can be associated with reduced intake of nutritious foods and increased consumption of energy-dense foods high in unhealthy fats, sugars, and salt. As a result, food insecurity and “hidden hunger” can result not only in undernutrition but can also lead to overweight and obesity.

How can food insecurity paradoxically contribute to obesity?

The correct option is: by encouraging over consumption of cheap, unhealthy energy-dense foods.

Step-by-Step Explanation:

1. Identify the core paradox in the question: The question asks how food insecurity—traditionally associated with hunger and a lack of food—can lead to obesity, which is a state of carrying excess body fat.

2. Analyze the passage for the connection: According to the third paragraph of the passage, food insecurity does not always manifest as a simple reduction in all food intake. Instead, the passage states: "In others, it can be associated with reduced intake of nutritious foods and increased consumption of energy-dense foods high in unhealthy fats, sugars, and salt. As a result, food insecurity and 'hidden hunger' can result not only in undernutrition but can also lead to overweight and obesity."

3. Synthesize the reasoning: When individuals face food insecurity, their choices are highly constrained by affordability and food environments. Nutrient-rich foods (like fresh vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins) are often more expensive and harder to access. Consequently, people rely heavily on cheaper, readily available, energy-dense foods. These foods are high in unhealthy fats, sugars, and salt, which provide quick energy (calories) but lack essential micronutrients. Over-consuming these low-cost, calorie-dense foods to satisfy hunger leads to an excess calorie intake, which paradoxically results in overweight and obesity while the individual remains malnourished (suffering from "hidden hunger").

4. Evaluate the options:
• The first option suggests it causes over-consumption of protein, which is incorrect as protein is generally more expensive and not the primary driver of obesity in food-insecure contexts.
• The third option describes a reduction in overall consumption, which would lead to weight loss, not obesity.
• The fourth option suggests an increase in nutrient-rich food availability, which contradicts the definition of food insecurity.
• The second option perfectly aligns with the explanation provided in the passage, highlighting the shift toward cheap, unhealthy, energy-dense foods.