FOOD AND NUTRITION UNIT INTRO :

THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

- Is a group of organs that work together

to help the body digest and absorb food for
the purpose of providing energy.

PARTS OF DIGESTIVE SYSTEM AND ITS FUNCTIONS : (SUMMARISED)

-BUCCAL CAVITY - helps break down the food with a substance called saliva (this is
called ingestion)
- ESOPHAGUS - is a tube that leads the food to the stomach.
- STOMACH - helps digest the food further with an enzyme called pepsin and stomach
acids.
- SMALL INTESTNE - its functions help absorb the nutrients in food and transfer it
to the blood.
- LARGE INTESTINE - absorbs water from food waste.
- PANCREAS - secretes enzymes into small intestine.
- GALL BLADDER - stores bile.
- RECTUM - stores waste until it is egested
through the anus

BALANCED DIET :

- Is when you get the right amount of nutrients into your body to support growth
and development.
(amount of energy is measured in kilojoules ; kJ)*

ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS FOR BALANCED DIET :

- CARBOHYDRATES - One of the main sources

the body gets its energy from. two types of carbohydrates ; starch and sugar.
- PROTEINS - helps with growth and repairing cells.
- FATS - another source of energy that is stored in the body.
- VITAMINS AND MINERALS - a great source of dietary fibre, a type of carbohydrate
that helps you prevent having constipation. It's also a great contributor to your
health.

DEFICIENCY DISEASES :
- SYMPTOMS ; CAUSES ; EFFECTS TO HEALTH
-> deficiency diseases are caused by not having a balanced diet.

- ANAEMIA - lack of iron - low haemoglobin levels that causes red blood cells to
not deliver enough oxygen to tissues.
- SCURVY - lack of vitamin C - causes gums to bleed.
- RICKETS - lack of calcium and vitamin D - causes bones to be poorly developed.
- KWASHIORKOR - lack of protein - stomach is enlarged, slow growth and development.
- OBESITY - when food is consumed more than needed - causes high blood pressure,
heart disease and type 2 diabetes.