L10 - Deficiencies

Human Systems Homepage

Previous Lesson

objectives

I can describe what effects not eating some foods has on our health

What is a Deficiency?

A deficiency is caused when an organism has not consumed enough of one of the major food groups
When this happens we lack that area of the balanced diet and this can lead to diseases
Examples of diseases caused by a lack of nutrition are:
- Scurvy
- Kwashiorkor
- Ricket's
- Blindness
- Constipation
There are also times when we can have an excess of a food group in our diet these can also cause diseases.

Diseases caused by the lack of a balanced diet will be explored below:

Scurvy

A condition caused by lack of vitamin C.
It causes weakness, gum disease and skin haemorrhages (bleeding).
Scurvy is most frequently seen in older, malnourished adults.
The pictures here show the symptoms of scurvy

Preventing Scurvy

As Scurvy is caused by a lack of vitamin C the best treatment is to eat foods rich in Vitamin C

These are fruits

Ricket's Disease

Ricket's disease is caused by a lack of calcium in the diet
Rickets is a disorder involving softening and weakening of the bones (of children).
To treat this disease it is important to eat foods that are rich in calcium like:
- Milk
- Cheese
- Yoghurt

Kwashiorkor

Kwashiorkor is a disease caused by a lack of protein in the diet.
Children and adolescents require protein for growth and development.
It occurs most commonly in areas of famine and limited food supply.
To treat kwashiorkor you must consume foods rich in protein like:
- Fish
- Meat

Anaemia

Symptoms include
Weakness and fatigue
Pale skin
Shortness of breath
Light-headedness or dizziness
Caused by lack of red blood cells
To treat anaemia you must consume foods that are Rich in Iron like:
- Liver
- Spinach

Preventable Blindness

Caused by consuming a Lack of Vitamin A
Number one cause of what is known as preventable blindness in children and severe visual impairment.
Also increases the risk of death in infants.
Causes night blindness in pregnant women

To prevent this you must consume foods that are rich in Vitamin A like:

Carrots
Broccoli

Constipation

Caused by a lack of fibre in the diet
Means the body cannot bulk food together in order to form a stool
Causing dry, hard bowel movements
It can be treated by consuming foods that are high in fibre like:
- Bran flakes
- Vegetables

Too Much Salt

Too much salt can cause high blood pressure
High Blood pressure can cause serious health problems and lead to strokes, brain damage and kidney damage

Too much Fat

People who have a larger proportion of body fat to mass are classed as obese
Obese people have an increased risk of arthritis, diabetes and heart disease.

poster activity

Create a poster that explains the dangers of not consuming a balanced diet. You must include:

The main features of a balanced diet
Examples of diseases caused by malnutrition
Examples of diseases caused by excessive consumption
Possible advice to people suffering malnutrition
Recommended diets

Human Systems Homepage

Previous Lesson

Page updated

Report abuse