Diet-Related Problems
Food Preparation & Nutrition: AQA GCSE, topic 2.3.6
Obesity
Eating a bad diet can cause health problems. Obesity is when the body has excessive fat. Approximately a quarter of the UK's adult population suffers from obesity.
Body Mass Index
- Body Mass Index (BMI) can indicate if a person is overweight, obese or extremely obese:
- Healthy weight: 18.5 - 25.
- Overweight: 25 - 30.
- Obese: 30 and 35.
- Extremely obese: 35+.
- However, BMI can be misleading because a person with a lot of muscle will weigh a lot (and therefore have a high BMI) even if they have very little body fat.
Causes of obesity
- A diet containing lots of fatty and sugary foods.
- Eating disproportionately more calories than the number burnt off.
- Engaging in little to no physical activity.
Consequences of obesity
- High blood pressure.
- Cholesterol.
- Strokes.
- Coronary heart disease.
- Increases the chances of developing cancer, type 2 diabetes and other serious health conditions.
- Joint pains.
- Common symptoms include fatigue and difficulty breathing.
- Low self-esteem.
Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) arises when the coronary arteries fill with fatty deposits and narrow. The coronary arteries supply oxygenated blood to the heart.
Causes
- High blood pressure.
- Strains organs and blood vessels.
- Consuming excessive saturated fats.
- High salt diet.
- Smoking.
- Leading a sedentary (inactive) lifestyle.
- Exercise helps to keep the cardiovascular system (the heart and blood vessels) healthy.
Consequences
- As it's difficult for blood to pass through the blood vessels smoothly, people may feel a squeezing pain in their chest as well as other parts of the body.
- If blood clots form, they may block the flow of blood to the heart. If the heart receives insufficient oxygen, the person could suffer from a heart attack.
Anaemia
An iron deficiency can cause anaemia. We need iron to form red blood cells. Red blood cells transport oxygenated blood from the lungs to the rest of the body. People suffering from anaemia have fewer red blood cells than they need. Vitamin C can help with the absorption of iron.
Causes
- Consuming too little iron (i.e. not eating enough red meat or dark green leafy vegetables).
- Women not replacing iron lost in blood during their periods.
- Pregnant women losing too much iron to the developing foetus.
Consequences
- Symptoms can include:
- Fatigue.
- Paleness.
- Headaches.
- Heart palpitations.
- Strange fingernails - often spoon-shaped.
Test yourself on Diet-Related Problems
What % of the UK's adult population is obese?
Someone's BMI can indicate if they are overweight, obese or extremely obese. What does BMI stand for?
What are the causes of obesity?
What disease is caused by fatty deposits building up in the coronary arteries?
What are the causes of CHD?