HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY

SBA: RESEARCH PROJECT

THE EFFECTS OF THE ENERGY IN HIGHLY PROCESSED SNACKS ON STUDENTS

BEHAVIOUR

Candidate Name: Tyler Green

Candidate number: 2222222
Date of Submission: 28 April, 2020

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TABLE OF CONTENT:

Introduction-------------------------------------------------------------3
Methodology-------------------------------------------------------------3
Presentation of Data-----------------------------------------------------5
Analysis and Interpretation of Data-----------------------------------6
Conclusion----------------------------------------------------------------7
Recommendations-------------------------------------------------------7
Reflection-----------------------------------------------------------------7
Bibliography-------------------------------------------------------------8
Appendices---------------------------------------------------------------

Assessment Criteria Mark

Background/overview 2/2

Problem Statement 2/2

Research Objective 2/2

Methodology 8/8

Presentation of Data 5/5

Analysis and Interpretation of Data 5/5

Conclusion 2/2

Recommendations 4/4

Reflection 6/6

Overall Presentation 4/4

Total 40/40

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 HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY
EXAMPLE OF INVESTIGATIVE PRACTICAL
EXAMPLE 2

- BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Diet plays a crucial role in physical and mental health especially in growing children. Teachers often
complain that students are extremely rambunctious after break and lunch. It was noted that most students
consume chips and sodas for their breaks. A study of 265 hyperactive children found that more than three-
quarters of them displayed abnormal glucose tolerance, – that is, their bodies were less able to handle
sugar intake and maintain balanced blood sugar levels. In any case, when a child is regularly snacking on
refined carbohydrates, sweets, chocolate, fizzy drinks, juices and little or no fiber to slow the glucose
absorption, the levels of glucose in their blood will seesaw continually and trigger wild fluctuations in
their levels of activity, concentration, focus and behavior. There is therefore a high probability that the
snacks consumed by students for break and lunch have too much energy and is causing hyperactivity in
the kids during class time.

- Problem statement – The energy in highly processed snacks (Doritos, Cheetos or Ruffles) is
causing hyperactivity in students.

- Research objective: To determine if the consumption of high energy snacks is causing

hyperactivity in students

- Methodology:
An interview with the cafeteria manager has led to the conclusion that 42% of the student
population at our school tend to consume chips such as Cheetos, Doritos and Ruffles for the
break and lunch. Only 38% of the students choose to buy from the other choices which include
fruits, sandwiches, the days special or meat pies. The group decided to carry out an experiment
to determine the energy in highly processed snacks most consumed by students at school. The
decision to carry out this type of research was because this would give a more accurate depiction
of the caloric content of the snacks most commonly consumed.

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 Experiment Performed to determine the energy in highly processed
snacks.

Materials:
Tongs Ring stand Distilled water (50mg) Beaker Clamp
Scale Thermometer Calculator Doritos, Cheetos, Ruffles
Matches Measuring Cylinder
METHOD:
1. Three of the most widely consumed snacks at school were selected for this investigation.
(Doritos, Cheetos and Ruffles)
2. A 100ml beaker was placed in a ring stand where it was tightly held with a clamp.
3. 50mg of water was measured and poured in the beaker, where the initial temperature of water
was read and recorded.
4. The mass of one Dorito chip was measured in grams using a scale. The mass was recorded.
5. The snack was then gently held using tongs.
6. Once the Dorito was set on the tong, the snack was kindled using matches.
7. When the Dorito caught fire it was immediately placed under the beaker at a 45 ͦ angle and it
was ensured that the thermometer was inside the beaker but not touching (it only touched the
water).
8. While the Dorito burnt, the water was gently stirred using the same thermometer but ensured
that the thermometer did not touch the beaker.
9. After the fire of the Dorito extinguished the temperature was immediately taken and recorded
as final temperature.
10. The Joules/g ͦ C was calculated using Σ = MCΔT
11. The average Joules per gram of Dorito was calculated. The same procedure was repeated for
the other two chips.
12. The same procedure was repeated 2 more times using the 3 chips.

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Sample Calculation:
Mass of Doritos = 2.9g
Initial Temperature of water = 29 ͦ C
Final Temperature of water = 73 ͦ C
Amount of water = 50ml
ΔT = Final temperature – Initial temperature
=73 ͦ C - 29 ͦ C
=44 ͦ C
Σ = MCΔT
Σ = 50g X 4.2 J/g ͦ C X 44 ͦ C
Σ = 9.240 J
Σ = 9.240 J (in 2.9 g)
= 9.240 J / 2.9g
=3,186 J in 1gram of Dorito
Limitation:
- One limitation of the investigation is that the calculations made may not be fully accurate
due to some energy lost to the surroundings when burning the chips.

OBSERVATION/ RESULTS:

TABLE SHOWING THE ENERGY VALUES OF 3 TYPES OF CHIPS AFTER THREE

TRIALS
TYPES OF TRIAL 1 TRIAL 2 TRIAL 3 AVERAGE
CHIPS (JOULES) (JOULES) (JOULES) (JOULES)
DORITOS 3745.95 2921.74 2100 2922.57
CHEETOS 3458.82 2841.18 3850 3383.33
RUFFLES 3710 3116 3186 3337.33

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ANALYSES OF DATA:
A kilojoule is the measure of energy in food. Energy is needed to fuel all metabolic activities.
Students use the energy they acquire from the food they eat to perform daily mental and physical
activities. However, students spend most of their day sitting on a chair in class. On a typical
school day their physical activity is limited to writing, talking and moving their arms.
An average 14year old female student expends 9700kj per day and an average 14yr old male
student uses 10,800kj per day. From research done the most widely consumed snacks in our
school included Doritos, Cheetos and Ruffles. After the calculation of the energy content in one
gram of chip was done it was determined that there was an average of 2.9kj in 1g of Doritos,
3.4kj in 1g of Cheetos and 3.3kj in 1g of Ruffles. The bag of chips sold contain roughly 49.6g
Doritos 49.6g X 2.9kj = 143.84kj per bag of chip
Cheetos 49.6g X 3.4kj = 168.64kj per bag of chip
Ruffles 49.6g X 3.3kj = 163.68kj per bag of chip
The average student consumes one bag of chips, along with a drink (usually a soda), which adds
to the energy value of the food intake. The high energy gained from the consumption of these
snacks is not expended while they are sitting down during regular class time. From the
experiment it was determined that one of the many probable causes of hyperactivity after break
and lunch time may be attributed to excessive energy gained from the consumption of these high
energy snacks.

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 A point to note is that while the food consumed is not the only contributing factor, it does play a
role. Also important to point out is that, not only does the high energy consumption cause
hyperactivity and inattentiveness but they are also triggers to other health conditions like obesity,
diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

CONCLUSION:
The average student is consuming more than the daily recommended amount of energy. The
average amount of energy consumed from one bag of chips was calculated to be 143.8kj in
Doritos, 168.64kj in Cheetos and 163.68kj in Ruffles. This high amount of energy intake in a
short span is leading to high levels if hyperactivity in class.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The school administrators should look into the matter more closely and change some of the
snack choices available. Less processed food should be sold and more natural options should be
made available.
Another recommendation is to restrict the sales of chips, sodas or cookies for the morning break.
REFLECTION:
I learned that this investigation disclosed a link between the high energy intake and
hyperactivity. I also learned that the energy in the snacks provided are very high and may
lead to other health related diseases like obesity.

It is now easy to understand why many of my colleagues are often fidgety and unruly in
class, especially after break. After the research I will think twice before buying chips or high
energy snacks for break or lunch.

The project could be improved by comparing the behavior of the same students daily for a
week while they are allowed to consume chips for lunch or break and then observe them for
another week when they won’t be allowed to eat chips for break and lunch.. A survey form
could be given to the teacher to fill out querying their behavior for the two weeks.

A Social impact of hyperactivity in the classroom is that students may be in-attentive or lack
focus and may eventually fail the course. The Economic implications of this would be that
they may have to repeat the form and this may be very costly for parents and could even
result in students dropping out of school and resorting to crime.

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Bibliography:
Human and Social Biology for CSEC Examinations 6th Edition, Gadd, Phil, Macmillan 2009
- https://healthfully.com/284165-the-nutritional-value-of-chips.html
- https://www.verywellfit.com/the-best-and-worst-chip-choices-calories-in-top-picks-4117844
- https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-diet-nutrition-sugar/
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/Diet-and-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-
disorder
- https://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/calories/birthday-cake-yellow-cake-with-vanilla-
frosting-63727626

APPENDIX:
HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY
QUESTIONAIRE
THE EFFECT OF CONSUMING HIGH ENERGY SNACKS ON STUDENTS
The following are the questions asked to the Cafeteria manager
1. What are the snack options for Break in the cafeteria?
Answer:
• Fruit bowl
• Bananas
• Apples
• Special for the day (usually rice and beans and salad)
• Meat pies
• Sandwiches
• Snacks such as chips, crunch bar, kit-kat bars, cookies, mint sweets
• Natural juices (watermelon, orange and cantaloupe)
• Soda
• water

2. Which of the options is the most bought per week by the students?
Answer:
Most students that buy would go for the chips. Cheetos, Ruffles and Doritos being the
most widely bought snacks. They would buy sodas to accompany it too.

3. What would you say is the weekly percentage of students that buy chips from all the students
buying snacks?
Answer :
About 42% buy chips, 8% buy fruit, 3% buy fruit salad and 10% buy a sandwich, 6% buy meat
pies, 10% buy cookies and 18% buy the special for the day and 3% buy from the other choices.

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