Basic 8 · Career Technology · Food Commodities
Malnutrition, a Balanced Diet and Meal Planning
In this topic you will explain malnutrition and nutrient deficiency diseases, describe a balanced diet using Ghanaian food groups, and plan nutritious meals for different people.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Explain malnutrition and identify deficiency diseases
- Describe a balanced diet using food groups
- Plan balanced meals for different members of a family
What you already know
- The functions of nutrients in the body
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Materials For Production
- Sub-strand
- Food Commodities
- Indicator
- B8.2.4.1.1 – Explore the functions of food to the body
Introduction
Some children are thin and weak because they do not get enough food; others are overweight because they eat too much of the wrong food. Both are forms of malnutrition.
1. What Is Malnutrition?
Malnutrition: A condition caused when the body gets too little, too much or the wrong balance of nutrients.
Undernutrition happens when people do not eat enough food or enough of certain nutrients. Overnutrition happens when people eat too much, especially fatty and sugary foods, leading to obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Both affect health, learning and work.
2. Deficiency Diseases
| Disease | Cause | Signs |
|---|---|---|
| kwashiorkor | lack of protein | swollen belly and feet, thin reddish hair, skin sores, irritability |
| marasmus | lack of energy and protein (severe hunger) | very thin body, "old man" face, loose skin |
| anaemia | lack of iron | tiredness, pale skin and eyes, shortness of breath |
| goitre | lack of iodine | swelling in the neck; poor brain development in children |
| rickets | lack of vitamin D or calcium | soft, bent leg bones |
| scurvy | lack of vitamin C | bleeding gums, slow wound healing |
| night blindness | lack of vitamin A | difficulty seeing in dim light |
The word "kwashiorkor" comes from the Ga language of Ghana. It describes a disease seen in a child weaned from the breast when a new baby arrives and then fed mainly starchy food without enough protein.
3. Causes of Malnutrition
- Poverty and lack of money to buy varied food.
- Lack of knowledge about nutrition.
- Food taboos that prevent children or women from eating certain foods.
- Large families sharing little food.
- Illness, such as diarrhoea and worms, that prevents nutrients from being absorbed.
- Eating too much junk food high in sugar, salt and fat.
4. Preventing Malnutrition
Malnutrition can be prevented by eating a variety of foods, breastfeeding babies exclusively for the first six months, using iodised salt, eating fruits and vegetables daily, deworming children regularly, keeping food and water clean, and attending child welfare clinics where growth is monitored. The Ghana School Feeding Programme also helps by providing one hot, nutritious meal a day to many pupils.
New words
- malnutrition
- Poor health from too little, too much or the wrong balance of nutrients.
- kwashiorkor
- A disease caused by lack of protein.
- anaemia
- A condition caused by lack of iron in the blood.
- obesity
- Being very overweight.
Summary
- Malnutrition includes undernutrition and overnutrition.
- Deficiency diseases include kwashiorkor, marasmus, anaemia, goitre, rickets, scurvy and night blindness.
- Varied diets, breastfeeding, iodised salt, deworming and clean food prevent malnutrition.
Class activity: Deficiency Disease Chart
- Make a chart of five deficiency diseases.
- Show the cause, signs and prevention of each.
- Present your chart to the class.
You need: Maize cob, Cowpea seeds, Garden egg
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Kwashiorkor is caused by lack of…
- A. protein
- B. vitamin C
- C. iodine
- D. water
Show answer
Answer: proteinGa word.2. Goitre is prevented by using…
- A. iodised salt
- B. sugar
- C. palm oil
- D. bread
Show answer
Answer: iodised saltIodine.3. Overeating fatty and sugary foods is a form of malnutrition.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueOvernutrition.4. A condition caused by lack of iron is ______.
Show answer
Answer: anaemiaPale skin.5. State four causes of malnutrition.
Show answer
Answer: Poverty, lack of knowledge, food taboos, illness (or junk food, large families).Any four.6. Explain how deworming helps prevent malnutrition.
Show answer
Answer: Worms take nutrients from the intestines and cause blood loss, so removing them helps the body absorb nutrients.Absorption.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Materials For Production
- Sub-strand
- Food Commodities
- Indicator
- B8.2.4.1.1 – Explore the functions of food to the body
Introduction
A good meal is not just about filling the stomach. A balanced meal contains foods from different groups so the body gets all the nutrients it needs.
1. What Is a Balanced Diet?
Balanced diet: A diet that contains all the nutrients in the right amounts for a person's age, sex, activity and health.
2. Ghanaian Food Groups
| Food group | Examples | Main nutrients |
|---|---|---|
| cereals and grains | maize, rice, millet, sorghum | carbohydrates, B vitamins |
| starchy roots and plantain | yam, cassava, cocoyam, plantain | carbohydrates |
| legumes and nuts | cowpea, soya beans, groundnuts, bambara beans | proteins, fats |
| animal foods | fish, meat, eggs, milk, snails | proteins, iron, calcium |
| fruits | orange, mango, pawpaw, pineapple, watermelon | vitamins, fibre |
| vegetables | kontomire, garden egg, okro, tomatoes, carrots | vitamins, minerals, fibre |
| fats and oils | palm oil, groundnut oil, shea butter | fats, vitamin A (red palm oil) |
3. Planning Meals
When planning meals, consider each person's needs. Growing children need plenty of protein and calcium; pregnant and breastfeeding women need extra iron, folic acid and protein; manual workers need more energy foods; older people need softer foods with fibre and less salt; and sick people may need light, easily digested meals. Also consider the family's budget, foods in season, cultural preferences and time available.
4. A Sample Day's Meals
| Meal | Menu | Food groups |
|---|---|---|
| breakfast | hausa koko (millet porridge) with koose (bean cakes) and an orange | cereal, legume, fruit |
| lunch | jollof rice with grilled fish and vegetable salad | cereal, animal food, vegetables, oil |
| supper | kenkey with fried fish, pepper and tomato sauce, and avocado | cereal, animal food, vegetables, fat |
| snacks | roasted groundnuts, banana or pawpaw | legume, fruit |
5. Healthy Eating Habits
Eat regular meals, especially breakfast; drink plenty of clean water; limit sugary drinks, sweets and fried snacks; eat fruits and vegetables every day; and do not overeat. Eating together as a family also encourages good habits and sharing.
6. Eating Well on a Small Budget
A balanced diet does not have to be expensive. Local foods in season, such as oranges in their season, kontomire, garden eggs and small fish like anchovies (keta school boys), are cheap and nutritious. Beans and groundnuts provide protein at a lower cost than meat. Buying in bulk, growing vegetables at home and avoiding expensive soft drinks and snacks help families eat well without spending too much.
New words
- balanced diet
- A diet with all nutrients in the right amounts.
- food group
- A group of foods with similar nutrients.
- menu
- A list of meals or dishes planned.
- folic acid
- A B vitamin needed especially during pregnancy.
Summary
- A balanced diet contains all nutrients in the right amounts for each person.
- Ghanaian food groups include cereals, starchy roots, legumes, animal foods, fruits, vegetables and fats.
- Meal planning considers needs, budget, season, culture and time, with healthy eating habits.
Class activity: Meal Planning Practical
- Plan a balanced menu for one day for a family with a child, a pregnant mother and a grandfather.
- Show the food groups in each meal.
- Present and justify your menu.
You need: Maize cob, Cowpea seeds, Garden egg
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which food group is mainly for body building?
- A. animal foods and legumes
- B. fats and oils
- C. sugars
- D. starchy roots
Show answer
Answer: animal foods and legumesProtein.2. Who needs extra iron and folic acid?
- A. pregnant women
- B. older men only
- C. babies only
- D. athletes only
Show answer
Answer: pregnant womenPregnancy needs.3. A balanced diet should include fruits and vegetables.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueVitamins and fibre.4. A list of planned meals is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: menuMeal plan.5. Plan a balanced lunch using Ghanaian foods and name the food groups.
Show answer
Answer: e.g. rice and beans with fish and vegetables: cereal, legume, animal food, vegetables.Any balanced meal.6. Explain three factors to consider when planning meals for a family.
Show answer
Answer: Each person's needs, the family budget, foods in season (or culture, time).Any three.
Homework
- Plan a balanced breakfast, lunch and supper for yourself for one day.