Importance of Food Nutrients – JSS1 Physical & Health Education Lesson Note (Second Term)

Food is important to the human body because it performs several functions. It provides energy for physical activity, replaces and repairs cells for growth, maintains body heat, makes blood cells, protects the body against diseases, keeps the body systems working properly and removes hunger.

Behavioural objectives

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

• state the functions of food in the body;
• explain why the body needs food for growth, repair and energy;
• state how food helps to protect the body against diseases.

Why is food important to the human body?

Food is important to the human body because it performs the following functions:

1. It provides energy for various physical activities.
2. It is used for replacement, repair and multiplication of cells for growth.
3. It maintains body heat.
4. It is used for the manufacture of blood cells.
5. It protects the body against diseases.
6. It is needed for proper functioning of the body systems.
7. It eliminates hunger.
8. It enhances growth and development.

Evaluation

1. Define food, nutrition and nutrients.
2. State the six classes of food.
3. Give three functions of food in the body.

Assignment

1. Differentiate between nutrition and balanced diet.
2. List 10 different types of food.