Contemporary Nutrition Issues

Question 1

define diabetes

Answer 1

diabetes is a disease of the pancreas gland, where the body is unable to use sugar normally

Question 2

how can diabetes be controlled

Answer 2

control intake of carbs, fats and sugar

Question 3

define cardiovascular disease

Answer 3

also called coronary heart disease, it occurs due to the coronary arteries becoming blocked, stopping blood from being supplied to the heart

Question 4

how can CVD be controlled

Answer 4

reduce fat, saturated fats, salt

Question 5

define food allergies

Answer 5

food allergies occur when the body’s immune system responds to a specific food protein (allergen) and incorrectly identifies the allergen as foreign

Question 6

where are the most common allergens found

Answer 6

eggs, cow’s milk, wheat (gluten), fish and nuts, soy

Question 7

define coeliac disease

Answer 7

the condition where the presence of gluten damages the small intestines

Question 8

define food intolerance

Answer 8

digestive problems that occur after a certain food has been eaten

Question 9

how is a food intolerance different from an allergy

Answer 9

1. The response does not involve the immune system
2. The body is not responding to the protein but to other chemicals found in the food.
3. a food intolerance is not life threatening

Question 10

define lactose intolerance

Answer 10

lactose intolerance occurs when an individual has difficulty in digesting lactose (dairy). It is not a milk allergy where the person has a problem with the milk protein.

Question 11

define active non-nutrients

Answer 11

Substances that are not essential to life but contribute to good health and enhance body functioning

Question 12

define functional foods

Answer 12

a food claimed to have an additional function by adding new ingredients or more of existing ingredients

Question 13

define malnutrition

Answer 13

malnutrition occurs when one or more nutrients are not supplied to the body in the correct amounts. This can cause over nutrition or under nutrition.

Question 14

what are some diet related disorders associated with overnutrition

Answer 14

obesity, hypertension and dental caries

Question 15

what are some diet related disorders associated with undernutrition

Answer 15

nutrition deficiencies (inadequate fibre, iron, calcium), eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia)

Question 16

define functional foods

Answer 16

foods that have been nutritionally modified to meet consumer demand (nutritionally beneficial); improve consumers health by replacing the bad with the good

Question 17

define fortified foods

Answer 17

fortified foods contain nutrients not originally in the product (e.g orange juice with added calcium)

Question 18

define enriched foods

Answer 18

contain nutrients added to replace those lost during processing

Question 19

define nutritionally modified foods

Answer 19

altered foods to improve nutritional characteristics (add/remove components)

Question 20

what are the role of vitamin supplements

Answer 20

to supply extra vitamins to a deficient body, used for pregnancy

Question 21

why are mineral supplements useful

Answer 21

allergies, intolerances (diary sees lack in calcium), deficiencies in iron, calcium

Question 22

why are protein supplements useful

Answer 22

growth and repair cells, formation of enzymes and hormones

Question 23

what is the value of supplements

Answer 23

to safeguard against inadequate diets or illness, enhance performance and reduce stress

Question 24

state and federal governments role in promoting health

Answer 24

providing nutrition and health education (dietary guidelines)

Question 25

local governments role in promoting health

Answer 25

community programs (meals on wheels)

Question 26

what is the food industry’s role in promoting health

Answer 26

organic farming, production of foods (pro-biotic foods, wholemeal, low fat, low salt)

Question 27

define anti-oxidants

Answer 27

found in plant foods (vitamin A, C, E), control blood cholesterol levels and reduce chance of cancer.

Question 28

examples of anti-oxidants

Answer 28

phytochemicals, flavonoids, caretnoids

Question 29

define dietary fibre

Answer 29

found in plant foods, absorb moisture in gut allowing faeces to pass easily, acting as fuel for beneficial bacteria

Question 30

define omega 3 fatty acids

Answer 30

found in fish and plants, strengthen heart and bloodstream, brain development

Question 31

define probiotics

Answer 31

beneficial gut flora (bacteria), improves digestion and maintains immune system

Question 32

define obesity

Answer 32

leading preventable cause of death worldwide, 65% of adults obese, caused by excess fat intake and lack of physical activity, leads to reduced life expectancy and health problems (heart disease)

Question 33

difference between type 1 & 2 diabetes

Answer 33

type 1 diabetes is a genetic disorder that often shows up early in life, and type 2 is largely diet-related and develops over time. If you have type 1 diabetes, your immune system is attacking and destroying the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas.

Question 34

explain cholesterol

Answer 34

Cholesterol is an insoluble lipid transported through the body by high density lipoproteins (HDL) which take cholesterol out of the body, low density lipoproteins (LDL) deposit cholesterol on artery walls, preventing bloodflow