Food, Nutrition and Health – JSS1 Physical & Health Education Lesson Note (Second Term)

Food is any substance that, when taken into the body, gives energy and materials for growth and repair of body tissues. Nutrition is the study of food and how the body digests and uses it. Good food and nutrition keep a person healthy, which means being well and free from illness or disease.

Food, nutrition and health are three essentials of life for sportsmen and women. An adequate diet is important for them to excel in their various sporting activities.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• define food, nutrition, nutrients and health;
• explain why nutrients must be digested into soluble form;
• give examples of different types of food;
• list the six classes of food nutrients.

What do food, nutrition, nutrients and health mean?

What is food?

Foods are substances that, when taken into the body, yield materials that produce energy and substances for the growth and repair of our body tissues.

What is nutrition?

Nutrition is the study of food and its chemical composition, how it is taken in, digested and used in the body, and how it influences health.

What are nutrients?

Nutrients are substances such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins and water, present in food items, that provide the nourishment necessary for the sustenance of life, growth and maintenance of body temperature.

Note: nutrients are useful to the body only when they are converted into soluble form. This is possible through the process of digestion.

What is health?

Health is the general condition of the body, or the state of being well. A person is said to be healthy when he or she is free from illness or disease.

What are the different types of food?

1. Rice
2. Beans
3. Bread
4. Yam
5. Corn
6. Cassava
7. Fish
8. Meat
9. Butter
10. Wheat
11. Eggs, and others

What are the classes of food?

There are six (6) essential classes of food nutrients:

1. Carbohydrates
2. Proteins
3. Vitamins
4. Fats and oil
5. Mineral salts
6. Water

Evaluation

1. Define food.
2. What is nutrition?
3. Why must nutrients be digested before the body can use them?
4. When is a person said to be healthy?
5. Name the six classes of food nutrients.

Assignment

1. Define nutrients and health.
2. Write down five types of food that you eat at home.