Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 2
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 2
Term: 1st Term
Week: 7
Grade code: 2.1.1.LI.2
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 2.1.1.CS.1
Indicator code: 2.1.1.LI.2
Theme: Health Education
Subtheme: Nutrition and Diet in Health
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Welcome, students! Today, we are going to explore a very important topic that affects us every single day: the food we eat. In Ghana, our food landscape is changing. Alongside our traditional markets filled with fresh produce from the farm, we now have supermarkets and fast-food joints offering a huge variety of packaged and convenient foods. From the waakye seller on the street corner to the Indomie we prepare at home, every choice we make has an impact on our health. This lesson will empower you to understand the difference between organic, genetically modified (GM), sugary, and processed foods so you can make informed decisions for a healthier life.
This section breaks down the four main types of food mentioned in our indicator. We will explore what they are, find them in our own environment, and understand how they affect our bodies. a) Organic Foods Definition: Organic foods are agricultural products grown and processed without the use of synthetic chemicals. This means: Plants: Grown without artificial pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. Farmers use natural methods like compost (manure, "abɔɔmu nwura") and crop rotation to maintain soil fertility and manage pests. Animals: Raised in more natural living conditions, not given routine antibiotics or growth hormones, and fed organic feed. Ghanaian Context: Think about the cocoyam or plantain grown in your family's backyard or a small village farm where the farmer uses poultry manure instead of chemical fertilizer. While not always "certified" organic, this method of farming is very close to organic principles. In bigger cities like Accra, you can find specialty shops selling certified organic fruits and vegetables, but they are often more expensive. Impact on Health: Positive Impacts: Reduced Chemical Exposure: Consuming organic foods lowers your exposure to residues from synthetic pesticides, which some studies link to health problems over the long term. Potentially Higher Nutrients: Some research suggests that organic produce may have higher levels of certain nutrients, like antioxidants (which help protect your cells from damage), compared to conventionally grown produce. Negative Impacts/Challenges: Cost: Organic food is generally more expensive due to higher farming costs and lower yields. Availability: It can be difficult to find a wide variety of certified organic foods across Ghana. b) Genetically Modified (GM) Foods Definition: Genetically Modified (or Genetically Engineered) foods come from organisms (plants, animals, or microorganisms) whose genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a laboratory. This is done to give the organism a desired trait. Ghanaian Context: This is a topic of major national debate. While GM crops are not yet widely grown commercially in Ghana, there is ongoing research and discussion about introducing them. A key example is Bt Cowpea. Scientists have modified the cowpea (the beans we use for "red-red" or "gɔbɛ") to be resistant to the maruca pod borer, an insect that destroys much of the crop. The goal is to help farmers increase their harvest and use fewer pesticides. Impact on Health (The Debate): Potential Positive Impacts (Arguments FOR): Improved Nutrition: Genetic modification can be used to increase the nutritional value of food. For example, "Golden Rice" is modified to contain more Vitamin A to fight deficiency. Increased Food Security: Crops resistant to pests, diseases, or drought can lead to higher yields, making more food available and potentially more affordable. This is a major issue in parts of Ghana. Reduced Pesticide Use: If a crop can naturally resist pests (like Bt Cowpea), farmers may need to spray fewer chemical pesticides, which is a potential health and environmental benefit. Potential Negative Impacts (Arguments AGAINST): Allergenicity: There are concerns that introducing a new gene into a plant could create a new allergen, potentially causing allergic reactions in some people. Long-Term Effects: Critics argue that we do not know the long-term health effects of consuming GM foods, although major international scientific bodies have generally found them to be safe. Ethical Concerns: Some people have ethical objections to the practice of "tampering with nature." c) Sugary Foods and Drinks Definition: These are foods and beverages with a high amount of added sugars. It is important to distinguish this from the natural sugars found in fruits (like mangoes and bananas) and milk. Added sugars are put in during processing to increase sweetness. Ghanaian Context: These are everywhere! Drinks: Kalypo, FanYogo, Coca-Cola, Fanta, Malta Guinness, sweetened Sobolo, condensed milk in tea or porridge. Snacks: Biscuits (e.g., Piccadilly), cakes, meat pies, "bofrot" (puff-puff), doughnuts. Impact on Health (Overwhelmingly Negative when consumed in excess): Weight Gain and Obesity: Sugary items provide "empty calories" – they give you energy but very few nutrients like vitamins or fibre. The body easily stores this excess energy as fat. Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A diet high in sugar can lead to insulin resistance, a key factor in the development of Type 2 diabetes. Tooth Decay (Dental Caries): Sugar feeds the harmful bacteria in your mouth, which produce acid that destroys tooth enamel. Heart Disease: High sugar intake is linked to higher blood pressure, inflammation, and high triglycerides, all of which are risk factors for heart disease. d) Processed Foods Definition: A processed food is any food that has been altered from its natural state for safety or convenience. This exists on a spectrum: Minimally Processed: Washed and packaged spinach, roasted groundnuts ("nkateɛ"), bagged rice. These are generally healthy. Moderately Processed: Canned tomatoes, bread, canned fish (sardines, mackerel), cheese. Ultra-Processed: These are the main cause for concern. They are industrial formulations made mostly from substances extracted from foods (like fats, starches, and sugars) and often contain additives like artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives. Ghanaian Context: Ultra-processed foods are extremely popular due to their convenience, long shelf life, and taste. Examples: Indomie instant noodles, sausages, corned beef, breakfast cereals (like Corn Flakes), biscuits, soft drinks, packaged fruit juices. Impact on Health (Focus on Ultra-Processed): High in Sodium (Salt): Canned meats, sausages, and instant noodles contain very high levels of sodium, which is a major contributor to high blood pressure (hypertension). High in Unhealthy Fats: Many processed snacks and fast foods are high in saturated and trans fats, which raise bad cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. Low in Nutrients and Fibre: The processing often strips away essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre. Fibre is crucial for good digestion and feeling full. Linked to Chronic Diseases: Diets high in ultra-processed foods are strongly linked to higher rates of obesity, heart disease, hypertension, and even some types of cancer.
Guided Practice (With Solutions)
Instructions: Let's work through these questions together as a class. I will call on students to share their thoughts before revealing the solution.
Question 1: Categorization A student buys the following items from a shop near the school: one pack of Indomie instant noodles, a ripe banana, a bottle of Coca-Cola, and a can of Titus sardines. Categorise each item using the terms we've learned (it may fit into more than one category). Solution & Commentary: Indomie instant noodles: Ultra-processed food. (Commentary: It is an industrial formulation with refined flour, high sodium flavour packets, and preservatives. It's designed for convenience, not for its nutritional value.) Ripe banana: Natural/Minimally processed food. If grown in a backyard without chemicals, it could be considered organic. (Commentary: This is a whole food in its natural state, rich in potassium and natural sugars, which is different from added sugar.) Bottle of Coca-Cola: Sugary drink and an Ultra-processed food. (Commentary: Its primary ingredients are water, added sugar/sweeteners, and artificial flavours. It offers no nutritional value, only empty calories.) Can of Titus sardines: Processed food. (Commentary: The fish has been cooked and preserved in oil and salt, and then canned. This processing extends its shelf life but also adds significant amounts of sodium and oil.)