Day 2 Notes: Food, Health, and Hygiene
1. Health and Nutritional Requirements
Health encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being. Our overall health is influenced by both our lifestyle (how we live) and our environment (our surroundings).
A. The Balanced Diet (Review and Extension)
- Variation in Requirements: Nutritional requirements, including the type and amount of nutrients, vary significantly according to a person's age, gender, physical activity, health status, and lifestyle.
- Healthy Choices: Staying healthy means consuming nutritious foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) and avoiding processed, fatty, or sugary foods and drinks. Highly nutritious grains native to India, such as millets (jowar, bajra, ragi, and sanwa), are important components of a healthy diet.
2. Role of Specific Nutrients and Deficiency Diseases
An adequate intake of vitamins and minerals is crucial for protecting the body from various diseases.
| Nutrient | Function / Importance | Deficiency Disease / Effect | Source Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin C | Protects the body from various diseases. | Scurvy. | Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges help cure Scurvy. |
| Iodine | Essential for health. | Goiter, Cretinism. | The use of iodised salt is advisable. |
| Calcium | Essential for optimal bone growth. | Deficiency leads to poor bone health. | Milk, millets, curd, cheese, and paneer. |
| Vitamin D | Assists in bone health (Often given alongside calcium). | Deficiency affects the body's ability to absorb calcium. | — |
| Iron | Helps in the formation of blood. | Deficiency causes anemia (lack of blood formation). | Spinach, kidney beans, raisins, and figs. |
| Proteins & Carbohydrates | Essential for proper growth, energy levels, and strength. | Lack leads to fatigue and poor development. | — |
3. Disease Prevention and Control
Disease control relies heavily on preventing the spread of pathogens (communicable diseases) and managing lifestyle factors (non-communicable diseases).
A. Hygiene and Sanitation
| Prevention Method | Rationale and Context | Source Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Hygiene | Keeping ourselves and our surroundings clean; washing hands to remove pathogens; proper cleaning of food and water. | Practicing yoga or simple breathing exercises like pranayama contributes to overall health. |
| Source Control | Covering the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing; avoiding sharing personal items like towels; staying at home when unwell. | These measures prevent the further spread of infections. |
| Community Sanitation | Community sanitation campaigns (like proper toilet usage and reducing open defecation) significantly improve child health and reduce infectious diseases like diarrhea. | Example of Odisha sanitation campaign. |
B. Communicable vs. Non-Communicable Diseases
While communicable diseases spread through causal agents (viruses, bacteria), non-communicable diseases are often linked to poor lifestyle choices:
- Lifestyle-Related Issues: Avoiding processed, fatty, or sugary food and prioritizing physical activity, limiting screen time, and getting enough sleep are vital steps in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preventing chronic diseases.
Simulated Infographic: Factors Influencing Health
| Factor | Description | Example Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Physical | Body functions, fitness, and vitality. | Eating a balanced diet. |
| Mental | Emotional and psychological state. | Limiting screen time and practicing yoga. |
| Social | Interaction with others and the environment. | Community sanitation campaign (improves environment/reduces infection spread). |
💡 Metaphor for Prevention:
Implementing good hygiene and sanitation practices is like building a strong, invisible fence around a well-maintained garden. The garden represents your body, and the fence (hygiene) keeps out the pests (pathogens and infectious agents). While the fence doesn't fix a problem once it's inside, a well-maintained fence ensures that most threats never get close enough to cause damage in the first place, aligning with the principle that prevention is superior to cure.