Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
Nutrition and Diet in Health
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Nutrition and Diet in Health
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Subject: Physical Education Health Elective
Class: SHS 1
Term: 1st Term
Week: 8
Grade code: 1.1.2.LI.2
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 1.1.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 1.1.2.LI.2
Theme: Health Education
Subtheme: Nutrition and Diet in Health
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This lesson introduces the fundamental concepts of nutrition and its critical role in maintaining a healthy and productive life. For a young Ghanaian student, understanding nutrition is not just an academic exercise; it is a practical life skill. What you eat directly affects your energy for studies, your ability to play sports, your growth, and your resistance to common illnesses like malaria or colds. By learning to identify the nutrients in our local Ghanaian foods—from the *kenkey* and fish sold at the roadside to the *kontomire* stew prepared at home—you can make informed choices that will benefit you for the rest of your life.
A. Core Definitions Nutrition: This is the scientific study of food and how the body uses it. It involves the entire process from when we eat food (ingestion) to how our body breaks it down (digestion), absorbs the useful parts (absorption), and uses them for energy, growth, and repair (metabolism). Nutrients: These are the chemical substances found in food that are essential for life. They provide energy, help build and repair body tissues, and regulate body processes. Think of them as the building blocks and fuel for your body. Diet: This refers to the total amount and type of food a person eats from day to day. Your diet can be healthy or unhealthy depending on the choices you make. It is not just about losing weight; it is your pattern of eating. Balanced Diet: A balanced diet is one that contains all the essential nutrients in the right quantities and proportions to meet the body's needs for growth, energy, and maintenance. It is about variety and moderation. B. The Six Major Classes of Nutrients
Our local Ghanaian foods are rich in all the nutrients we need. Let's explore them. Carbohydrates (The 'Energy Givers') Explanation: These are the body's main source of energy. They provide the fuel your brain needs to concentrate in class and your muscles need to run, jump, and play. They are often called "Go" foods. Functions: Provide the primary source of energy for daily activities. Spare proteins from being used for energy, so they can be used for body-building. Fibre, a type of carbohydrate, aids in digestion and prevents constipation. Ghanaian Food Sources: Grains & Cereals: Rice (*omo tuo*), Maize (*banku, kenkey, tuo zaafi*), Millet. Starchy Roots & Tubers: Yam (*ampesie, fufu*), Cassava (*gari, fufu, agbelikaklo*), Cocoyam, Plantain (*kelewele, fried plantain, fufu*). Proteins (The 'Body Builders') Explanation: Proteins are made of smaller units called amino acids. They are essential for building, maintaining, and repairing all body tissues, including muscles, skin, hair, and organs. They are often called "Grow" foods. Functions: Essential for growth, especially in children, adolescents, and pregnant women. Repair of worn-out body tissues (e.g., healing a cut). Production of enzymes, hormones, and antibodies that fight infection. Ghanaian Food Sources: Animal Sources: Fish (Tilapia, Mackerel/Salmon, *Keta school boys*, *Koobi*), Chicken, Goat meat, Beef, Eggs, Milk. Plant Sources: Beans (*red-red*), Peas, Groundnuts (*nkate*), Soya beans, Bambara beans (*aboboi*), Agushi (melon seeds). Fats & Oils (The 'Energy Reserve') Explanation: Fats are a concentrated source of energy. While often viewed negatively, they are essential for health in moderate amounts. They also make food taste better. Functions: Provide a concentrated source of energy (more than twice the energy of carbohydrates). Help the body absorb certain vitamins (A, D, E, and K). Provide insulation to keep the body warm. Protect vital organs like the heart and kidneys by cushioning them. Ghanaian Food Sources: Palm oil, Coconut oil, Groundnut oil, Palm kernel oil. Avocado ('paya'), Agushi seeds, Groundnuts. Fatty fish, meat, and dairy products. Vitamins (The 'Protectors') Explanation: These are organic substances required in small amounts to regulate various body processes and protect against diseases. They are often called "Glow" foods because they help keep skin and eyes healthy. Functions & Sources (Examples): Vitamin A: For good vision (especially at night) and healthy skin. *Sources:* Palm oil, *Kontomire* (cocoyam leaves), carrots, mangoes, eggs, liver. Vitamin B-Complex: For energy release and a healthy nervous system. *Sources:* Whole grains, beans, fish, meat, eggs. Vitamin C: For a strong immune system (fights colds), healthy gums, and wound healing. *Sources:* Oranges, pineapple, pawpaw, mangoes, tomatoes, peppers (*kpakpo shito*). Vitamin D: For strong bones and teeth (helps absorb calcium). *Sources:* Sunlight on the skin, oily fish, egg yolk. Minerals (The 'Regulators') Explanation: These are inorganic substances needed in small amounts for various body functions, from building strong bones to carrying oxygen in the blood. Functions & Sources (Examples): Calcium: For strong bones and teeth. *Sources:* Small fish eaten with bones (*Keta school boys*, anchovies), dairy products, dark green leafy vegetables like *gboma*. Iron: For making haemoglobin in red blood cells, which carries oxygen. A lack of iron causes anaemia (feeling tired and weak). *Sources:* *Kontomire*, liver, red meat, beans, turkey berries (*abedru*). Iodine: For proper functioning of the thyroid gland, which controls growth and metabolism. *Sources:* Iodized salt, seafood. Water (The 'Transporter and Regulator') Explanation: Water is the most essential nutrient. The body is made up of about 60-70% water. It is vital for almost every bodily function. Functions: Transports other nutrients and oxygen to cells. Carries waste products away from cells. Regulates body temperature through sweating. Lubricates joints. Aids in digestion. Sources: Drinking water, fruits (watermelon, pineapple), vegetables, soups, and other beverages.
Guided Practice (With Solutions)
Instructions: Work with a partner to answer the following questions. We will discuss the answers as a class.