P1 Explain how the concepts of nutritional health contribute to health and wellbeing.
The Concepts of nutritional health contributing to our health and well-being include: 1. Healthy eating and a balanced
diet, 2. Malnutrition and (Undernutrition), Obesity, 3. The effects of food processing and preparation, 4. Current
nutritional issues - self-prescribed health supplements, genetically modified food’.
1. Healthy eating and a balanced diet
One such concept is Healthy eating and a balanced diet, e.g. eat-well guide, main food groups. This involves ensuring
that every day our diet must comprise foods from the main food groups, and in the correct proportions. These are: fruit
and vegetables (33 per cent), bread, other cereals and potatoes (33 per cent), milk and dairy products (15 percent), foods
containing fat and foods containing sugar (7 per cent), meat, fish and alternatives (12 per cent). (Lawrence, P., at.al.2016)
accessed on 24.01.23
2. Malnutrition and Undernutrition and obesity
Another concept is Malnutrition. This means that if food is not consumed correctly and in the correct quantities,
malnutrition will result. Malnutrition refers to deficiencies or excesses in nutrient intake, imbalance of essential nutrients
or impaired nutrient utilisation. (Lawrence, P., at.al.2016) accessed on 24.01.23
Malnutrition must not be confused with Undernutrition which is a deficiency of calories, or of one or more essential
nutrients,and results from having insufficient food, or a person having a condition where they are unable to digest
nutrients from the diet. This might include conditions such as ulcerative colitis, when food passes through the digestive
tract very quickly before the nutrients can be absorbed into the bloodstream. The Department of Health considers a
person with a body mass index of less than 18.5 to be underweight.
Obesity means having a body mass index greater than or equal to 30. (Lawrence, P., at.al.2016) accessed on 24.01.23
,3. Effects of food processing and preparation
Another concept is about the ‘Effects of food processing and preparation methods’, including excessive salt and sugar
content, and additives.
The manner in which food is prepared can have an impact on its nutritional content. As long as they are fresh, raw veggies
have a high nutritional value. Some vitamins are destroyed when vegetables are cooked, however some cooking
techniques are less damaging than others. Vitamins are lost into the water when veggies are boiled, and the longer they
are boiled, the more vitamins are lost. However, research has found that tomatoes that have been cooked have higher
levels of lycopene, an antioxidant that lowers the risk of heart disease and some malignancies. Methods include canning,
freezing, vacuum packed, UHT, pasteurisation, additives, curing, jam and preserves, smoking and prickling. (Lawrence, P.,
at.al.2016) accessed on 24.01.23
Another concept of nutritional health contributing to good health is the benefits of good food processing methods. The
benefits of managing our salt intake is adults who consume fewer than 5 grammes of salt per day had lower blood
pressure and a lower risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. Cutting less on salt has several
advantages, but the main one is a decrease in high blood pressure. (Salt reduction (who.int): accessssed. 24.01.23)
4. Current nutritional issues
The final concept of nutritional health is ‘current nutritional issues and effects on health, including self-prescribed health
supplements, genetically modified food’ and how they directly impact our health.
By genetically managing foods we mean greater food yields, which may be essential to prevent starvation in emerging
nations in a world where population is expanding. Instead of using pesticides, crops can be altered to make them deadly
,to bugs that devour them. This benefits the environment and lessens the pesticide exposure of farm workers. (Lawrence,
P., at.al.2016) accessed on 24.01.23
By ‘self-prescribed health supplements' we mean the Food Supplements (England) (Amendment) Regulations of 2007
provide that food supplements must be sold in dose form and should be used in addition to, not as a substitute for, a
healthy diet. Mineral and vitamin pills are some examples. All the nutrients required to keep you healthy should be part of
a balanced diet. However, some people have trouble getting enough of the essential vitamins and minerals in their diets.
This includes picky eaters and people who must avoid particular foods due to health concerns. It also covers those who
have illnesses that impair absorption or who frequently have diarrhoea. People who require large amounts of a certain
food supplement may also benefit from it. For instance, a woman with heavy periods may benefit from iron supplements
to help replenish the iron lost during her period. (Lawrence, P., at.al.2016) accessed on 24.01.23
The effects on our health of managing health supplements is: The likelihood of experiencing negative effects from dietary
supplements increases if you take them in large doses, in place of prescription medications, or if you take a variety of
supplements. Some supplements can alter your reaction to anaesthesia or raise your risk of bleeding if taken prior to
surgery. (Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know - Consumer (nih.gov): accessed. 24.01.23)
The effects of genetically modified foods on our health could be: Instead of using pesticides, crops might be altered to
make them poisonous to pests that harm the crop. This benefits the environment and lessens the pesticide exposure of
farm workers. Some plants are altered to increase their nutritional value. For instance, a variety of rice that is higher in
vitamin A, a substance that can be deficient in some Asian diets, has been developed. A second benefit of GM foods is
their extended shelf life; GM pineapples, tomatoes, and bananas have all been developed to have longer shelf lives.
(Lawrence, P., at.al.2016) accessed on 24.01.23
, A.P2 Explain the sources of essential nutrients and their functions in the body
There are several types of essential nutrients which our body requires. More than 40 distinct types of nutrients can be
found in food, and they are typically divided into the following 7 primary groups:
Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats and oils, Vitamins, Minerals, Consuming fibre and Water (Lawrence,P., et.al.2016)
accessed on 28.01.2023
Although each of the seven primary nutrient groups has specific roles to play in our bodies, they are all necessary because
they work together to support our overall health. The following list summarises these important nutrients' key roles in the
body:
Carbohydrates function in the body is to provide energy for the body. People need a lot of energy just to
exist. Even when you are asleep cells need oxygen and nutrients to function. Your heart needs to beat, your lungs need to
take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide. Additionally, your brain needs energy to maintain your vital functions and you
need to replace cells. This is known as basal metabolism. When you are active you need energy for movement. simple
carbohydrates, which are sugars, and complex carbohydrates, which are starches and fibre. Source of Foods that contain
carbohydrates include sugars – honey, granulated sugar, cakes, biscuits, fruit, milk; starches – flour, bread, potato, rice
and fibre – leafy veg, whole wheat, dried fruit. (Lawrence,P., et.al.2016) accessed on 28.01.2023
Insufficient intake of carbs can cause blood sugar levels to drop sharply and below the expected normal range, which can
cause hypoglycemia, which can cause sensations like hunger.
A person who consumes an excessive amount of carbs may experience elevated blood sugar levels that increase their risk
of acquiring diseases like cancer, heart disease, and obesity.
