Define and explain key terms in food and nutrition including metabolism, balanced diet, malnutrition, macronutrients, cutlery, catabolism, anabolism, diet therapy, and under-nutrition.

Here are the answers to the questions:

1. Define the following terms as used in food and nutrition

• i. Metabolism: The sum of all chemical processes that occur in a living organism to maintain life, including converting food into energy and building/repairing body tissues.
• ii. Balanced diet: A diet that provides all the essential nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, water, and fiber) in the correct proportions to maintain health and well-being.
• iii. Malnutrition: A condition resulting from a diet that provides either too few or too many nutrients, leading to health problems. It encompasses both undernutrition and overnutrition.
• iv. Macronutrients: Nutrients required by the body in large quantities to provide energy and support bodily functions. These include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
• v. Cutlery: Utensils such as knives, forks, and spoons used for eating, serving, or cooking food.

b) Explain the differences between the following words

• i. Catabolism and Anabolism:
  • Catabolism refers to metabolic processes that break down complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy (e.g., digestion).
  • Anabolism refers to metabolic processes that build complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy (e.g., protein synthesis).
• ii. Diet therapy and Under-nutrition:
  • Diet therapy is the use of specific dietary modifications to treat or prevent diseases and manage health conditions.
  • Under-nutrition is a form of malnutrition caused by insufficient intake of energy and essential nutrients, leading to nutrient deficiencies, weight loss, or stunted growth.

c) List three (3) functions of protein

• 1. Growth and repair of body tissues.
• 2. Production of enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals.
• 3. Transport of nutrients and oxygen throughout the body.

Functions of the following vitamins:

• i. Vitamin D: Essential for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, crucial for bone health and immune function.
• ii. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Plays a vital role in energy metabolism, converting carbohydrates into energy, and supporting nerve function.
• iii. Folic acid (Vitamin B9): Crucial for cell division, DNA synthesis, and the formation of red blood cells, especially important during pregnancy.
• iv. Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid): An antioxidant essential for collagen synthesis, wound healing, immune function, and iron absorption.