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Health and Hygiene - Balanced Diet and Nutrients

Grade 6ICSE

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

Nutrients are chemical substances in food that provide energy, aid growth, and protect the body from diseases. The main classes are Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, Vitamins, and Minerals.

Carbohydrates are the primary energy source. Glucose, a simple sugar, has the chemical formula C6H12O6C_6H_{12}O_6.

Fats provide more than double the energy of carbohydrates per unit mass and help in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

Proteins are 'Body-building foods' made of amino acids, essential for growth and repair of damaged tissues.

Vitamins and Minerals are 'Protective foods'. For example, Iron (FeFe) is needed for hemoglobin, and Calcium (CaCa) is required for strong bones and teeth.

Roughage (Dietary Fibre) adds bulk to the food and prevents constipation, while Water (H2OH_2O) acts as a solvent for biochemical reactions and helps in temperature regulation.

A Balanced Diet contains all the essential nutrients in the correct proportions required for the normal growth and maintenance of the body.

Deficiency Diseases occur due to the lack of specific nutrients: e.g., Scurvy (Vitamin C), Rickets (Vitamin D), and Anaemia (Iron or FeFe).

📐Formulae

Total Energy (kcal)=(Mass of Carbs×4)+(Mass of Protein×4)+(Mass of Fat×9)\text{Total Energy (kcal)} = (\text{Mass of Carbs} \times 4) + (\text{Mass of Protein} \times 4) + (\text{Mass of Fat} \times 9)

C6H12O6 (Glucose)C_6H_{12}O_6 \text{ (Glucose)}

H2O (Water)H_2O \text{ (Water)}

BMI=Weight in kg(Height in m)2\text{BMI} = \frac{\text{Weight in kg}}{(\text{Height in m})^2}

💡Examples

Problem 1:

A snack contains 20 g20\text{ g} of carbohydrates and 5 g5\text{ g} of fat. Calculate the total energy provided by this snack in kilocalories (kcal).

Solution:

(20 g×4 kcal/g)+(5 g×9 kcal/g)=80+45=125 kcal(20\text{ g} \times 4\text{ kcal/g}) + (5\text{ g} \times 9\text{ kcal/g}) = 80 + 45 = 125\text{ kcal}

Explanation:

Carbohydrates provide approximately 4 kcal/g4\text{ kcal/g} and fats provide approximately 9 kcal/g9\text{ kcal/g}.

Problem 2:

Identify the mineral deficiency if a person has a swelling in the neck region (Goitre) and state the chemical symbol of that mineral.

Solution:

The deficiency is of Iodine, and its chemical symbol is II.

Explanation:

Iodine is essential for the thyroid gland to function correctly; its lack causes the gland to enlarge, leading to Goitre.

Problem 3:

A student eats a meal consisting only of polished rice and water. Which vitamin deficiency is the student most likely to develop?

Solution:

Vitamin B1B_1 (Thiamine) deficiency.

Explanation:

Polishing rice removes the outer husk which contains Vitamin B1B_1. Prolonged deficiency can lead to a disease called Beriberi.

Balanced Diet and Nutrients - Revision Notes & Key Formulas | ICSE Class 6 Science