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Abstract
FAO measure of undernourishment is calculated based on three main parameters: dietary
energy supply (DES), minimum dietary energy requirement (MDER), and the coefficient of variation of
dietary energy consumption (CV). In the current implementation of this methodology, the DES and the
MDER change over time, as would be expected. The CV, however, remains constant. However, we expect
the CV to change over time and be a function of income and prices. This paper discusses why the CV
should change in response to changes in these variables, and suggests a practical way to estimate changes
in the CV over time in the absence of survey data.