Diet and Health in Australia

Question 1

Dietary fibre

Answer 1

is believed to keep the digestive system healthy, stabilise glucose and cholesterol levels (and may reduce risk of bowel cancer, diabetes and heart disease).

Question 2

Omega-3 fatty acid

Answer 2

is thought to reduce the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and some cancers. It is also believed to assist infants’ brain development

Omega-3 fatty acids Polyunsaturated fatty acids (good fats) found in oily fish.

Question 3

flaxseed, legumes and whole grains

Answer 3

may reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers.

Question 4

a type of dietary fibre.

Answer 4

is believed to protect against bowel cancer.

Question 5

Folate

Answer 5

is known to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in unborn babies when consumed by women in early pregnancy.

Question 6

What is folic acid added to?

Answer 6

all wheat flour used for making bread in Australia

Question 7

What is calcium important for?

Answer 7

in strong teeth and bones, is believed to regulate the functioning of the heart, blood clotting and enzyme function.

Question 8

Iron

Answer 8

provides energy essential for daily life. Iron deficiency can result in tiredness, fatigue and decreased immunity.

Question 9

What is Malnutrition

Answer 9

when a person’s diet has an imbalance of the essential nutrients that the body needs to remain healthy. This imbalance in nutrients can weaken the person’s immune system and body and make them more susceptible to illnesses

Question 10

Undernutrition

Answer 10

Occurs when a person consumes a diet that does not meet the necessary requirements for the amount of essential nutrients or calories a person needs to remain healthy.

Question 11

Deficiencies as a result of undernutrition

Answer 11

Vitamin A deficincy
Lack of vitamin A in the diet is a very large problem worldwide and results in many cases of blindness in children each year. A deficiency in iron can cause a person to become anaemic, which can result in fatigue, increased risk of infection and increased risk of hemorrhaging during childbirth.

Iodine deficiency
Iodine is important for proper functioning of the thyroid gland, which is responsible for producing hormones that manage the body’s metabolic rate. A lack of iodine can cause stunted growth, mental delays and the creation of goiters, which are when the thyroid glands at the base of the neck become swollen.

Question 12

Over-nutrition

Answer 12

occurs when a person consumes a diet that exceeds the necessary requirements for the amount of essential nutrients, or the amount of calories a person needs to remain healthy.

Question 13

What are the risk factors of over nutrition

Answer 13

increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and even some cancers.

people who suffer from over-nutrition gain excess weight, and this can cause many serious problems to the human body.

Question 14

Prevalence of Over nutrition

Answer 14

Over-nutrition is most prevalent in high-income, developed countries, such as the United States and regions of Europe.

Question 15

What has obesity overtaken

Answer 15

Obesity has overtaken smoking as the leading cause of premature death and illness in Australia.

Question 16

Cost of obesity

Answer 16

It has been estimated that the overall cost of obesity to Australian society and governments was $58.2 billion in 2008 alone.

Question 17

What contributes to most circulatory and heart conditions

Answer 17

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is thought to contribute to nearly all Australian deaths caused by diseases of the heart and circulatory system

Question 18

What is a major contributing factor to hypertension

Answer 18

Too much sodium in the diet is a major contributing factor.

Question 18

What is a major contributing factor to hypertension

Answer 18

Too much sodium in the diet is a major contributing factor.

Question 19

What are some problems that can occur when circulation is less efficient, and the arteries become less elastic.

Answer 19

• heart failure
• reduced blood flow to the brain, causing a stroke
• kidney disease
• aneurysm, a weakness in the blood vessel walls, which can burst, causing massive internal bleeding.

Question 20

What happens with Dental Caries

Answer 20

Dental caries occur when carbohydrate is available to the bacteria that occur naturally in the mouth. The bacteria ferment the carbohydrate, producing acids, which dissolve the tooth enamel.

Question 21

What does undernutrition include

Answer 21

Anorexia Nervosa

Bulimia

Inadequate Fibre

Anaemia

Osteoporosis

Question 22

What is Diverticulitis

Answer 22

From inadequate fibre, the high pressure in the bowel causes pockets to form at weak points in the bowel wall. Bacteria can cause inflammation and infection in these pockets,

Question 23

What is iron

Answer 23

Iron is the central part of the structure of Haemoglobin which is the oxygen-carrying protein in the blood

Question 24

Iron deficiency Anaemia can be caused by

Answer 24

• blood loss (injury or menstuation)
• inadequate dietary intake of iron, which means that the body cannot make enough normal blood cells

Question 25

Physical effects of Anaemia

Answer 25

weakness and faintness. A lack of energy is common

Question 26

What are the long term effects of inadequate Calcium

Answer 26

Osteoporosis

Question 27

What is Osteoporosis caused by

Answer 27

Insufficient calcium intake
Physical inactivity
Menopause
Abnormal bone structure

Question 28

Examples of Functional Foods

Answer 28

Breads with extra fibre, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), phytoestrogens or hi-maize
* Cereals supplemented with additional folate, minerals and vitamins
* Eggs containing Omega-3 fatty acids
* Milks enriched with calcium and iron
* Yoghurts containing bacterial cultures
* Margarines/ spreads with plant sterols
* Fruit juices enriched with calcium and iron

Question 29

Dental caries results in

Answer 29

bad breath
loss of teeth
tooothaches

Question 30

OBESITY RESULTS IN

Answer 30

excess energy
stress in body joint
diabetes
cardiovascular disease
respiratory disorders
fatigue
extra workload

Question 31

Low fibre results in

Answer 31

Diverticulitis - inflammation of the diverticula In the intestine causing abdominal pain, nausea, high temp

Question 32

Special groups with special requirements

Answer 32

Adolescent girls
Vegetarians
Pregnant/lactating women
Athletes
Elderly
ATSI
people with specific health conditions e.g diabetes

Question 33

Health promotion

Answer 33

Government agencies
Private agencies
Individuals
Community groups
Australian food industry

Question 34

Active non-nutrients

Answer 34

Antioxidants
Omega-3 fatty acids
Dietary fibre
Probiotiocs

Question 35

Antioxidants

Answer 35

a substance which inhibits oxidation and prevents rancidity of fats and oils

in the diet Antioxidants can:
- Assist in cholesterol control
- Neutralise free radicals, reducing risk of cancer

Antioxidants are nutrients - Vitamin E, C and beta-carotene or non-nutrient - Phytochemicals (isoflavonoids, flavonoids)

Fresh Fruit, vegetables, legumes and soy beans

Question 36

Probiotics

Answer 36

micro-organisms of human intestinal origin which are incorporated into foods to improve health gut environment

• help maintain immune system
• Contribute to vitamin K foods
• improve digestibility

Probiotics are known as a healthy bacteria for the gut

Yoghurt, sour cream

Question 37

Omega-3 fatty acids

Answer 37

is a precursor of prostaglandins which are directly involved with the proper functioning of the cardiovascular immune system

fish oil, soy beans and linseed

Question 38

Dietary Fibre main functions

Answer 38

• improve regularity and prevent constipation
• assist with production of vitamin K and B groups

cereals, grains, fresh fruit, legumes, fibre-enriched breads