Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 2

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Identify the major food groups and their benefits.
• Explain what a balanced diet is and why it's important.
• Analyze the impact of poor nutrition on health.
• Develop a simple, healthy meal plan.
• Discuss the role of local foods in a healthy diet.

Lesson summary

Good nutrition is the foundation of a healthy and active life. In Ghana today, we face a "double burden" of malnutrition: some people suffer from a lack of food (undernutrition), while a growing number of people, especially in our towns and cities, are suffering from diseases caused by eating the wrong kinds of food (overnutrition). Understanding what is in the *banku*, *waakye*, or *jollof rice* we eat every day is crucial for preventing serious health problems like diabetes ("sugar disease") and hypertension ("pressure") later in life. This lesson will empower you to make informed food choices for yourself, your family, and your community, ensuring a healthier future for all.

Lesson notes

This section breaks down the essential knowledge for understanding nutrition and its impact on health. A. Fundamental Definitions Nutrition: The scientific study of food and how the body uses it for growth, energy, repair, and maintaining life. It's about the nutrients in the food and the entire process from eating to utilisation by your body's cells. Diet: The sum of food consumed by a person. It is simply *what you eat* on a regular basis. Your diet can be healthy or unhealthy. Balanced Diet: A diet that contains adequate amounts of all the necessary nutrients required for healthy growth and activity. In simple terms, it means eating a variety of foods from all the food groups in the right proportions. Malnutrition: A condition that results from a diet in which one or more nutrients are either not enough or are too much, causing health problems. It has two main forms in Ghana: Undernutrition: Not getting enough nutrients. This can lead to conditions like kwashiorkor (protein deficiency) or anaemia (iron deficiency). Overnutrition: Getting too many nutrients, especially calories, fats, and sugar. This can lead to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. B. The Six Classes of Nutrients (with Ghanaian Examples)

Our bodies need six main types of nutrients from food. We can group them into Macronutrients (needed in large amounts) and Micronutrients (needed in small amounts).

Macronutrients (Provide Energy and Build the Body) Carbohydrates (The "Energy Givers") Function: They are the body's main source of energy. They provide the fuel for physical activity and for the brain to function. Types: Complex Carbohydrates (Starches & Fibre): Release energy slowly, keeping you full and energised for longer. They are the healthier choice. Simple Carbohydrates (Sugars): Release energy quickly, leading to a rapid spike and then a crash in energy levels. Too much is unhealthy. Ghanaian Examples: *Complex:* Yam, Cassava (for *fufu*, *gari*), Plantain (*ampesi*), Maize (*banku*, *kenkey*), Rice (*omo tuo*), Millet, Sorghum, Whole-wheat bread. *Simple:* Table sugar, honey, soft drinks (e.g., Coca-Cola, Fanta), sweets, biscuits, white bread. Proteins (The "Body Builders") Function: Essential for building, maintaining, and repairing body tissues like muscles, skin, and hair. They also make enzymes and hormones. Ghanaian Examples: Beans (*red-red*), Peas, Groundnuts (*nkate*), Soya beans, Eggs, Fish (Tilapia, Mackerel/*Kpanla*), Chicken, Beef, Goat meat, *Wele*, Milk, *Wagashi* (local cheese). Fats & Oils (The "Energy Savers") Function: Provide a concentrated source of energy, help the body absorb certain vitamins (A, D, E, K), and provide insulation. Types: Unsaturated Fats ("Healthy Fats"): Good for the heart. Saturated & Trans Fats ("Unhealthy Fats"): Can raise cholesterol and increase the risk of heart disease if eaten in excess. Ghanaian Examples: *Healthy:* Groundnut oil, Palm nut soup (*not* red palm oil for frying), Avocado (*pear*), Agushi (melon seeds), Salmon. *Unhealthy (in large amounts):* Red palm oil, butter, margarine, fatty meat, fried foods like *kelewele* and doughnuts (*bofrot*).

Micronutrients (Help Regulate Body Processes) Vitamins Function: Help the body use other nutrients and are essential for various body processes like fighting infections (immune system) and vision. Ghanaian Examples: *Vitamin A (for vision, skin):* Palm oil, Mangoes, Pawpaw, Carrots, Dark green leafy vegetables (*kontomire*, *ayoyo*). *Vitamin C (for immunity, skin repair):* Oranges, Pineapple, Tomatoes, Peppers (*kpakpo shito*), Guava. *Vitamin B (for energy release):* Whole grains, beans, eggs, meat. Minerals Function: Needed for strong bones and teeth, healthy blood, and regulating the body's fluid balance. Ghanaian Examples: *Iron (for blood, prevents anaemia/tiredness):* *Kontomire*, *gboma*, beans, red meat, liver. *Calcium (for strong bones and teeth):* Small fish eaten with bones (*keta school boys*, *amane*), milk, *wagashi*, leafy greens. *Iodine (for brain function, prevents goitre):* Iodized salt. Water Function: Absolutely essential for life. It transports nutrients, removes waste, regulates body temperature, and lubricates joints. Dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue, and poor concentration. Source: Drinking water, fruits like watermelon, soups. C. The Link Between Diet and Common Health Conditions in Ghana

Evaluation guide

• Identify types of contraception and their impact on health and wellness .
• Collaborative Learning:
• Learners in their ability groups search for various types of contraception using
• a variety of resources.