Food and Nutrition (Cont’d) Basic 6 Basic Technology Lesson Note

LEARNING OBJECTIVES By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Mention the food nutrients
2. Explain the effect of family size on nutrition
3. Investigate the characteristics of nutritional deficient person

REVIEW OF FOOD NUTRIENTS

The Seven Classes of Food:

1. Carbohydrates – Provide energy
2. Proteins – Growth and repair of tissues
3. Fats and Oils – Energy and warmth
4. Vitamins – Protection from diseases
5. Minerals – Strong bones and body processes
6. Water – Digestion and body processes
7. Roughage/Fiber – Aids digestion

EFFECT OF FAMILY SIZE ON NUTRITION

Family Size: Family size refers to the number of people living together in one household (parents, children, and other relatives).

LARGE FAMILY (Many children)

Negative Effects on Nutrition:

1. Inadequate Food: Not enough food to feed everyone properly
2. Unbalanced Diet: Family may eat only cheap carbohydrates, lacking proteins and vitamins
3. Malnutrition: Children may develop deficiency diseases
4. Competition for Food: Stronger children may eat more, leaving weaker ones hungry
5. Poor Quality Food: Parents buy low-quality food to save money
6. Irregular Meals: Some family members may skip meals
7. Stunted Growth: Children don’t get enough nutrients to grow properly
8. Poor Health: Increased risk of infections and diseases
9. Educational Problems: Malnourished children cannot concentrate in school

Example: A family with 10 children may struggle to provide balanced meals. They might eat only garri or rice without sufficient proteins, vegetables, or fruits.

SMALL FAMILY (Few children)

Positive Effects on Nutrition:

1. Adequate Food: Enough food for everyone
2. Balanced Diet: Can afford variety of foods including proteins, fruits, and vegetables
3. Good Nutrition: Children grow healthy and strong
4. Regular Meals: Three balanced meals daily
5. Quality Food: Can buy fresh and nutritious foods
6. Better Health: Less risk of deficiency diseases
7. Good Growth: Children develop properly physically and mentally
8. Better Education: Well-nourished children perform better in school

Example: A family with 2-3 children can easily provide rice with fish, vegetables, and fruits for every meal.

OTHER FACTORS AFFECTING FAMILY NUTRITION

1. Income Level: Poor families cannot afford balanced diet while rich families can buy variety of nutritious foods 
2. Education: Educated parents know importance of balanced diet while uneducated parents may not understand nutrition 
3. Location: Rural areas may lack variety of foods while urban areas have more food options 
4. Food Storage: Poor storage leads to food spoilage while good refrigeration preserves food 
5. Cultural Beliefs: Some cultures have food taboos that may prevent eating certain nutritious foods 
6. Food Preparation: Poor cooking methods destroy nutrients while proper cooking preserves nutrients 

CHARACTERISTICS OF NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENT PERSON

General Signs of Malnutrition:

Physical Appearance:

1. Very thin or very fat body
2. Sunken or swollen eyes
3. Pale skin, lips, and tongue
4. Dull, dry, or falling hair
5. Dry, rough, or peeling skin
6. Swollen stomach, hands, or feet
7. Thin arms and legs
8. Protruding bones
9. Poor posture
10. Stunted growth (shorter than age mates)

Behavioral Signs:

1. Always tired and weak
2. Irritable and moody
3. Lacks energy to play
4. Cannot concentrate
5. Sleeps too much
6. Cries easily
7. Withdrawn from others
8. Loss of appetite

Health Problems:

1. Frequent infections and illnesses
2. Wounds heal slowly
3. Bleeding gums
4. Tooth decay or loss
5. Poor eyesight
6. Weak bones that break easily
7. Constant headaches
8. Dizziness
9. Breathlessness

Mental/Cognitive Signs:

1. Poor memory
2. Difficulty learning
3. Poor school performance
4. Cannot think clearly
5. Slow mental development

Specific Deficiency Characteristics:

Protein Deficiency (Kwashiorkor/Marasmus): Very thin body or swollen belly, weak muscles, skin changes color, hair becomes reddish

Vitamin A Deficiency: Cannot see well in dim light, dry eyes, frequent eye infections

Vitamin C Deficiency: Bleeding gums, loose teeth, skin bruises easily

Vitamin D/Calcium Deficiency: Bent or curved legs, weak bones, bone pain

Iron Deficiency: Very pale skin, always tired, fast heartbeat

Iodine Deficiency: Swollen neck (goiter), weight gain, slow thinking

IDENTIFYING MALNOURISHED CHILDREN

Simple Tests:

1. Weight Check: Underweight for age
2. Height Check: Shorter than age mates
3. Arm Circumference: Very thin upper arm
4. Observation: Look for swelling, pale skin, thin body

What to Do:

1. Take the child to the hospital or health center
2. Provide balanced diet with proteins and vitamins
3. Give plenty of clean water
4. Ensure regular meals
5. Practice good hygiene
6. Monitor growth regularly

EVALUATION

1. List the seven classes of food nutrients
2. How does large family size affect nutrition?
3. Mention five characteristics of a malnourished person
4. What are three factors that affect family nutrition besides family size?
5. How can we identify a malnourished child?

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. How many classes of food nutrients are there? 

1. a) Five
2. b) Six
3. c) Seven
4. d) Eight

1. A large family size can lead to ________ 

1. a) Better nutrition
2. b) Malnutrition
3. c) More food
4. d) Balanced diet

1. Which of these is a sign of malnutrition? 

1. a) Bright eyes
2. b) Swollen stomach
3. c) Strong muscles
4. d) Healthy skin

1. Small families have better nutrition because ________ 

1. a) They eat less food
2. b) They can afford balanced diet
3. c) They skip meals
4. d) They eat only carbohydrates

1. Pale skin and lips indicate deficiency of ________ 

1. a) Protein
2. b) Iron
3. c) Vitamin C
4. d) Calcium

1. Stunted growth means ________ 

1. a) Growing very fast
2. b) Growing very tall
3. c) Not growing properly
4. d) Growing sideways

1. Which factor affects family nutrition? 

1. a) Income level
2. b) Hair color
3. c) Shoe size
4. d) Name

1. Malnourished children often perform ________ in school 

1. a) Excellently
2. b) Poorly
3. c) Normally
4. d) Perfectly

1. Swollen belly in children indicates ________ 

1. a) Good nutrition
2. b) Kwashiorkor
3. c) Excess food
4. d) Happiness

1. To help a malnourished child, we should ________ 

1. a) Give more carbohydrates only
2. b) Provide balanced diet
3. c) Give less food
4. d) Ignore them

ANSWERS: 1.c 2.b 3.b 4.b 5.b 6.c 7.a 8.b 9.b 10.b

HOMEWORK

1. Create a table showing how large and small family sizes affect nutrition differently
2. Draw a picture of a malnourished child and label five characteristics
3. Write a short paragraph on how your family ensures good nutrition
4. List ten signs that show a person is malnourished
5. Explain three ways to prevent malnutrition in families