CARIBBEAN EXAMINATION COUNCIL

CARIBBEAN SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE (CSEC)

HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY

SBA: RESEARCH PROJECT

THE EFFECTS OF SALTY SNACKS ON

HYPERTENSION

CANDIDATE NAME: PRAISE AMAIHE

CANDIDATE NUMBER: 0900640065
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 15th February, 2023

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 CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL
CSEC - Human and Social Biology
SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT

Mark Scheme for School Based Assessments

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA PROFILE POINTS

ALLOTTED
Use of
Knowledge
(UK)

1. Background/Overview of Issue (2) (2)

● Provides a clear, detailed description of a current health-related or 2 2
environmental issue
● Description is detailed but lacks clarity 1

2. Problem Statement (2) (2)

1 1
● Research problem is stated clearly 1 1
● Research problem is in an appropriate form - an observation of
question

3. Research Objective (2) (2)

1 1
● Objective of the research is linked to the issue 1 1
● Objective of the research is realistic/feasible

4. Methodology (8) (8)

● Sample used is identified and clearly described 2 2
● Data collection instrument is identified and clearly described 2 2
● Method of data collection is identified and clearly described 2 2
● Method of data collection is adequately justified 1 1
● ONE limitation of data collection method clearly stated 1 1

5. Presentation of Data (5) (5)

● Data is presented in an appropriate form using tables, graphs and 1 1
charts 2 2
● Data is presented in at least TWO forms 1 1
● Form(s) used for presentation of data is correctly labelled 1 1
● Data presented are accurate

6. Analysis and Interpretation of Data (5) (5)

● Data is analyzed using appropriate calculations/statistics/themes
2
 ● Data is summarized accurately 1 1
● At least TWO statements of findings based on data presented
● Findings are consistent with analyses 1 1
2 2
1 1

7. Conclusion (2) (2)

● Conclusion succinctly summarizes the project 1 1
● Conclusion is logical and based on findings
1 1

8. Recommendations (4) (3)

● At least TWO recommendations proposed 2 2
● Recommendations are realistic
● Recommendations are informed by findings 1 1
1 0

9. Reflection: Candidate states the following information: (6) (6)

● Two lessons learnt after undertaking the project 2 2
● One way in which the lesson learnt could be applied to his/her
personal life 1 1
● One way in which the project could be improved 1 1
● ONE social impact and ONE economic impact the issue could
have on his/her school or community if not rectified. 2 2

10. Overall Presentation (4) (3)

● Layout of report follows the correct format inclusive of cover 2
page, table of contents, bibliography and appendices 2
● If layout includes only two elements - 1 mark only 1
● Bibliographic information contains the names of authors, 0
publishers and dates of publication 1
● Consistent use of correct spelling and grammar 1

Total 40 38

PLEASE INSERT NAME OF GROUP MEMBERS HERE:

1.

2.

3.

4.
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 TABLE OF CONTENT

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………

Methodology……………………………………………………………………………..

Presentation of Data………………………………………………………………………

Analysis and Interpretation of Data………………………………………………………

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………..

Recommendations………………………………………………………………………...

Reflection…………………………………………………………………………………

Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………..

Appendices……………………………

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 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Snacks are important aspects of the everyday life of a high school student. As students go out for
lunch and break, it is observed that 96% of students purchase and consume salty snacks and
foods from the school’s canteen. Research conducted in school shows that 66.6% students
consume salty snacks weekly, 26.7% have experienced shortness of breath, 33.3% of dizziness
and 23.3% of chest pain and a percentage of other symptoms of hypertension. Thus, it is safe to
say that salty snacks consumed by students are the cause of the symptoms displayed and can
cause hypertension or are likely to.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

The consumption of salty foods such as; (Fish, Fried Foods, Cheetos, Big Foot, Tortillas) are
causes of hypertension, with the symptom of early morning headaches in students of Grade 11
attending New Campbellville Secondary School.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE

To investigate if the consumption of salty snacks is causing hypertension in students.

METHODOLOGY

A total of 30 questionnaires were made consisting of 17 questions, which were distributed

randomly and collected immediately after completion. The questionnaires were given to Form
five students of New Campbellville Secondary School of which are of different ethnicity and
races, ages and heights etc. upon analysis, it was observed that about 96% of respondents
consume salty snacks such as; Tortillas, Cheetos, Doritos, Bigfoot etc. on a weekly basis and
rarely consume healthy nor homemade lunches neither purchase foods sold at the school’s
canteen. It was observed that most students didn’t know what “HYPERTENSION” is, and thus
didn’t give response to some questions neither did they know any cause of it. This was one
limitation experienced while conducting the SBA.
The questionnaires were randomly distributed to different ethnicity and races, ages and heights
so as to avoid being bias etc.

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 EXPERIMENT PERFORMED TO DETERMINE THE BLOOD
PRESSURE/HYPERTEBSIVE STATE OF THE STUDENTS BEFORE AND AFTER
THE CONSUMPTION OF SALTY SNACKS/FOOD(S).

Materials: 30 pieces of salty snacks

A sphygmomanometer

Method:
STEP 1: 3o grade eleven (11) students of New Campbellville Secondary School were
gathered.
STEP 2: Most commonly known and consumed salty snacks in the school were selected
and purchased for this investigation.
STEP 3: Each of the blood pressure of the 30 students were checked using the
sphygmomanometer and recorded.
STEP 4: The gathered students were given the salty snacks; one to each to consume.
STEP 5: Blood pressures of the 30 students were rechecked after the consumption of the
salty snacks, and recorded.

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Presentation of Data

A PIE CHART SHOWING HOW OFTEN

STUDENTS CONSUME SALTY SNACKS
DAILY WEEKLY MONTHLY OTHER

7%

27%

67%

FIGURE 1.

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 A PIE CHART SHOWING PERCENTAGE OF
STUDENTS WHO CONSUME SALTY FOODS

3%

YES
NO

97%

FIGURE 2.

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 TABLE SHOWING PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS RESPONSES TO HAVING
EXPERIENCED HYPERTENSION

OPTIONS: YES NO

RESPONSES: 11 19

PERCENTAGE: 36.7% 63.3%

FIGURE 3.

A BAR CHART SHOWING PERCENTAGE OF STU-

DENTS WHO KNOW SOMEONE WITH HYPER-
TENSION.
NATURE OF RESPONSES

NO

YES

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS

FIGURE 4.

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 ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

According to the data shown above, the pie chart, figure 2; It can be stated that about 97% of the
respondents; students of grade 11, consume salty snacks/foods, and just 3% do not. In figure 1;
Out of the 97% of consumers; 67% of students consume salty foods/snacks weekly, 27% daily,
and 6% monthly. The table, in figure 3; shows that 36.7% of the respondents have experienced a
symptom or two of hypertension while the other 63.3% have not. The bar chart in figure 4;
shows the percentage of respondents who knows someone with hypertension; as 43.3% do and
56.7% do not. Following the results from research, the consumption of salty snacks by the
students (research participants) of grade 11, increased their blood pressures; and 97% of them
consume salty foods.

CONCLUSION
From the experiment conducted, it can be seen from the research participants that an average
student who consumes salty snacks/foods weekly is susceptible to hypertension.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Conducting this research, the researcher would like to recommend that;
 The school administrators should look into the issue and stop the sale of salty snacks in
the school canteen.
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  More healthy and nutritional foods should be sold and purchased by students.

REFLECTION
Growing up, I have neither supported the regular consumption of snacks regardless of how
appealing they may appear. However, I had no idea it causes hypertension and can has a lot of
salty contents in it; I have been able to learn these from this research/investigation. I will advice
my parents, siblings and colleagues against it as I know quite some people who consume salty
snacks/foods.
This project could be further improved by comparing the blood pressures of the students as they
consume salty snacks for a week and the students another week without consuming salty snacks
and their blood pressures be recorded for the two different weeks. So as to know how much
increase or decrease has occurred in their blood pressures.
If not addressed properly, this can lead to a social impact of the students not being able to focus
due to rising symptoms of hypertension and may fail. And economically implies that the students
will have to repeat the class and this is a lot of load for parents and students who drop out may
result to crime.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTENSION (WHO)

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension - :~:text=When%20symptoms
%20do%20occur%2C%20they,chest%20pain%2C%20and%20muscle%20tremors.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IN CHILDREN

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/high-blood-pressure-in-children-beyond-the-
basics#:~:text=Normal%20versus%20high%20blood%20pressure,less%20than
%20120%2F80%20mmHg.

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 APPENDICES
Questionnaire
This questionnaire is conducted by the Grade 11 students of New Campbellville Secondary to
gather much needed information for a Human and Social Biology Research Project. Kindly tick
the box next to the answer that applies to you and write any additional information on the lines
provided.
All information will be kept confidential. We thank you for your participation.

1. What is your gender? Male Female

2. What is your ethnicity?

African Chinese
European Indian
Amerindian Mixed

3. Where do you reside? ___________________________________________

4. Do you know what hypertension is? Yes No

5. Do you consume salty foods? Yes No

6. If yes, how often do you consume salty foods?

Daily Weekly Monthly Other ________________________

7. Have you ever experienced any of the following symptoms of hypertension below?
Yes No

If yes please select the ones applicable to you from the list below.
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 Blurred vision Nose bleeds Shortness of breath
Chest pain. Early morning headaches Dizziness Nausea/Vomiting
All of the above None of the above Other
_________________________

8. Do you know anyone with hypertension or with the above symptoms?

Yes No

9. Do you think the school should stop the canteens from selling salty foods if they cause
hypertension to students? Yes No

10. State reason(s) for your option______________________________________

________________________________________________________________________
__________________________
11. Do you know any possible solutions to hypertension? Yes No

12. If Yes, state it; ________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

If No, do you think there are any solutions/cure to hypertension? _________

13. Do you think salty snacks cause hypertension? Yes No

14. If Yes, State your reason(s)

_____________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

15. If No, what do you think are the major causes of hypertension? __________
________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

16. In what ways do you think high blood pressure can have an effect on your life/lifestyle?
__________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

17. Do you get a good night sleep? Yes No

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