Diet age and occupation: OCR, specimen paper
    Question:

  1. State three components of a balanced diet which provide energy.

    [3]
    Answer:

    protein;

    fat;

    carbohydrate/sugar/starch.


  2. Four investigations of the energy intake of 14 and 15 year old boys and girls have been carried out in the UK since the 1930s. These studies show that the average intake of energy has decreased, while the average body masses of both boys and girls have remained the same. The results of these investigations are shown in the Table

    investigation average energy intake / kJ per day
    boys girls
    1930s 12 873 11 088
    1960s 11 739 9 534
    1970s 10 962 8 484
    1980s 10 478 8 316
    3. Question:

    1. Calculate the percentage decrease in energy intake for boys between the 1930s and the 1980s. Show your working.

      [3]
      Answer:

      12 873 - 10 478 = 2395;

      2395/12873 × 100

      = 18.6/19%;


    2. Suggest two reasons for the fact that the intake of energy has decreased between the 1930s and the 1980s while the average body mass has remained constant.

        Question:

      1. Answer:

        less exercise;

        less energy used to keep warm/central heating;

        AVP;


        Question:

      2. Answer:

        less exercise;

        less energy used to keep warm/central heating;

        AVP;


      [2]
      Question:

    3. Explain why the energy intake of girls is lower than that for boys of the same age.

      [1]
      Answer:

      higher proportion of fat/less heat loss/less body mass;

      ® less active


  4. In 1991, the British Government's Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy (COMA) published dietary reference values (DRVs). The Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) is the dietary reference value for energy intake. EARs for different age groups are calculated from basal metabolic rates, the amount of energy needed to support growth and the amount of physical activity.

    Question:

  5. Explain the value of publishing EARs for dietary energy.

    [3]
    Answer:

    higher proportion of fat/less heat loss/less body mass;

    ® less active


  6. Suggest two problems that might be encountered in calculating the EAR for any one age group

      Question:

    1. Answer:

      small sample sizes;

      difficulty in calculating BMR;

      difficulty in estimating time spent on physical activity;

      different levels of activity in population;

      growth occurs at different times;

      ethnic/racial differences;

      AVP.


      Question:

    2. Answer:

      small sample sizes;

      difficulty in calculating BMR;

      difficulty in estimating time spent on physical activity;

      different levels of activity in population;

      growth occurs at different times;

      ethnic/racial differences;

      AVP.


    [2]

  7. The overconsumption of energy-rich food can lead to obesity, which can increase the chances of becoming seriously ill.

    8. Question:

    1. Explain what is meant by obesity

      [1]
      Answer:

      body mass is 20%(or more) over maximum desirable

      mass for height;

      Body Mass Index greater than 27 – 30.


      Question:

    2. Suggest three ways in which obesity may lead to serious illness.

      [3]
      Answer:

      hypertension/ high BP;

      atheroma/atherosclerosis;

      stroke;

      coronary heart disease/heart attack;

      angina;

      diabetes;

      (osteo)arthritis;

      damage to lung capillaries;

      gallstones;


[Total : 18]