Understandings:

• Essential nutrients cannot be synthesized by the body, therefore they have to be included in the diet.
• Dietary minerals are essential chemical elements.
• Vitamins are chemically diverse carbon compounds that cannot be synthesized by the body.
• Some fatty acids and some amino acids are essential.
• Lack of essential amino acids affects the production of proteins.
• Malnutrition may be caused by a deficiency, imbalance or excess of nutrients in the diet.
• Appetite is controlled by a centre in the hypothalamus.
• Overweight individuals are more likely to suffer hypertension and type II diabetes.