Eduqas GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition: Student Book

48 The benefits of a healthy diet N Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise is a way of preventing obesity. A healthy diet assists the brain and body to function at their optimum. A nutrient-rich diet and drinking plenty of fluid and water helps maintain a healthy body and organs, which also help towards building a stronger immune system. In the UK, most people are fortunate enough to eat what they like when they like. In today’s global food market, most foods are available all year round, for example, leeks in summer and strawberries at Christmas time. There are, however, people in the world whose health and quality of life suffers through lack of food and lack of good quality food. There are global challenges to be met: • over one billion people worldwide are overweight or obese • one billion others do not have access to adequate food • an additional one billion have inadequate micronutrient intakes. Three terms are often used to describe a person’s state of health in relation to food intake: • undernutrition – a condition where the body does not get enough food. It includes being underweight for one’s age or deficient in particular micronutrients. Undernutrition can lead to health problems, e.g. anaemia. • overnutrition – a condition where the body gets too much of a particular nutrient or nutrients. • malnutrition – a condition linked to imperfect or bad nutrition when the body either gets too much or too little of a particular nutrient. Malnutrition describes both starvation (not eating enough of the right kind of food to meet dietary needs) and overeating (becoming obese). Many organisations including government, the farming industry, the food industry and academia are working together to provide food using fewer resources such as fuel, land and water to feed a growing global population. Looking ahead, we need to change our food consumption patterns. Strategies on healthy eating in Wales N The Food Strategy for Wales 2010–2020 sets out a vision and an integrated approach to food and life. It was founded on the principles of sustainable development, which includes economic, social and environmental aspects of the production and consumption of food. It takes into consideration issues such as health, food culture, education, food security, environmental sustainability and community development. In the UK there is evidence of both over and under consumption of dietary energy and nutrients. Despite more than 60% of adults currently classified as overweight or obese, many still have inadequate intakes of some micronutrients due to poor dietary choices. Unhealthy diets can lead to health issues such as obesity, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, dental decay and some types of cancer. Study tip Learn the eight guidelines and how they contribute to health and wellbeing. Factors affecting food choice:  p134 Key point Eating a balanced diet promotes good health and a healthy lifestyle. Explain the meaning of a ‘healthy, balanced diet’. Check it CORE KNOWLEDGE