Diet B6.1

Question 1

Balanced Diet

Answer 1

A balanced diet is one that gives your body the nutrients it needs to function correctly and for health to be maintained.

Question 2

Carbohydrates

Answer 2

Provides energy and are used in respiration

Found in cereals, brad, pasta, rice and potatoes

Question 3

Protein

Answer 3

For growth and repair of body tissues.

Found in fish, meat, eggs, beans, pulses and dairy products

Question 4

Fats

Answer 4

Creates cell membranes,
stores energy in the body and insulates it
against the cold.

Found in butter, margarine, oils (olive,
sunflower, rapeseed etc), oily fish and nuts.

Question 5

Minerals

Answer 5

These are needed in small amounts to
maintain health

Found in salt, milk (for calcium) and liver (for iron)

Question 6

Vitamins

Answer 6

These are needed in small amounts to maintain health.

Vitamin C is used to allow stick together cells
lining surfaces.
Vitamin D helps bones absorb calcium.

Found in dairy foods, fruit, vegetables, fish liver oils

Question 7

Fibre

Answer 7

This provides roughage to help to keep the
food moving through the gut

Found in vegetables and bran.

Question 8

Water

Answer 8

This is needed for cells and body fluids

Found in fruit juice, milk, water

Question 9

Age

Answer 9

the older you are the less you need as you’ve stopped growing

Question 10

Gender

Answer 10

males need more to maintain their higher muscle mass

Question 11

Activity Level

Answer 11

if you burn more calories you need to consume more

Question 12

Pregnancy/Breastfeeding

Answer 12

women who are pregnant or lactating need a higher calorie intake

Question 13

Starvation

Answer 13

Starvation is caused by not taking in enough
energy and nutrients over a period of time.

Leads to:
• Muscle Loss
• Dry Hair and Skin 
• Amenorrhea (Periods Stop)
• Fatigue
• Reduced Resistance to Disease

Question 14

Coronary Heart Disease

Answer 14

Caused by cholesterol building up inside
the coronary arteries which causes a plaque.
The arteries become narrowed and blood
flow is reduced. This reduces the supply of
blood to your heart muscle. The plaque can
also break off and cut of blood supply.

A diet containing monounsaturated and
polyunsaturated fats helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels.

Question 15

Constipation

Answer 15

Is when someone has difficulties passing
stools. This can lead to haemorrhoids and can
be very uncomfortable. There have also been links to bowel cancer.

A diet containing enough fibre and water would help alleviate this.

Question 16

Obesity

Answer 16

If the energy intake is greater than the energy
output this would lead to obesity. This is a term
used to describe someone very overweight with a BMI >30.

Obesity can be reduced by consuming a
balanced, calorie controlled diet and
taking regular exercise to ensure that the
energy input doesn’t exceed those used.

Question 17

Scurvy

Answer 17

This is caused by Vitamin C deficiency.

Symptoms include swelling and bleeding
of the gums, loss of teeth, tiredness and muscle and joint pain.

Question 18

Vitamin D deficiency

Answer 18

Cause:
Inadequate exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D deficiency
leads to rickets and poor
teeth.

Effects:
• Softened bones and
teeth which becomes
malformed
• ‘Bow’ like shape to the
legs.

Question 19

Iron deficiency

Answer 19

Cause:
Inadequate iron intake due to poor diet and blood loss during heavy periods. Iron deficiency leads to anaemia.

Effects:
• Muscular weakness.
• Yellowing eyes and
skin.
• Heart palpitations
• Dizziness and fatigue

Question 20

(PEM) Kwashiorkor

Answer 20

Causes:
lack of protein in diet

Effects:
• Very swollen abdomen
• Skin and hair changes
• Fatigue, diarrhoea,
muscle loss.
• Weakened immune
system.

Question 21

Marasmus

Answer 21

Causes:
Deficiency of nearly all
nutrients (especially proteins,
carbs and fats).
Can be due to absorption
disorders caused by parasites.

Effects:
• Muscle and fat loss.
• Shrunken and wasted
appearance.
• Hypothermia,
dehydration, anaemia.