Introduction to Unhealthy Diets

An unhealthy diet lacks the balance of nutrients that the body needs to function properly and can lead to various health problems. Unhealthy diets may be high in sugars, unhealthy fats, and salt, or low in essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Eating too much processed food, junk food, or sugary drinks can contribute to an unhealthy diet.

Key Consequences of an Unhealthy Diet

1. Obesity: Consuming more calories than the body needs can lead to weight gain and obesity, increasing the risk of diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
2. Diabetes: A high intake of sugary foods can lead to Type 2 diabetes, where the body struggles to regulate blood sugar levels.
3. Heart Disease: Diets high in saturated fats and salt can increase cholesterol and blood pressure, raising the risk of heart disease.
4. Deficiency Diseases: Lacking essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals can cause deficiency diseases, such as scurvy (from lack of Vitamin C) or anaemia (from lack of iron).
5. Poor Digestion: Low fibre diets can lead to digestive issues like constipation.
6. Weakened Immune System: Without the right nutrients, the immune system may weaken, making the body more vulnerable to illness.

Understanding the consequences of an unhealthy diet helps students make informed choices and understand the importance of balanced nutrition for long-term health.

Exam Questions on Unhealthy Diets

Here are 20 questions each at easy, medium, and hard levels to test understanding of the topic.

Easy Level Questions

Basic Understanding of Unhealthy Diets

1. What is an unhealthy diet?
2. What nutrient is often too high in an unhealthy diet?
3. What is obesity?
4. What does a high-sugar diet increase the risk of?
5. Name a disease caused by lack of Vitamin C.
6. Why is fibre important in a diet?
7. What can too much salt in a diet lead to?
8. What is a deficiency disease?
9. What does the body store as fat when eaten in excess?
10. What can low iron levels lead to?
11. What nutrient is often missing in an unhealthy diet?
12. What are junk foods?
13. Why should sugary drinks be limited?
14. What can happen if you eat too few nutrients?
15. What does a balanced diet help maintain?
16. What is a consequence of eating too many fatty foods?
17. What can happen if you don’t get enough Vitamin D?
18. Name a problem caused by eating too few vegetables.
19. What can a lack of calcium lead to?
20. What are processed foods often high in?

Medium Level Questions

Intermediate Knowledge of Unhealthy Diets and Their Effects

1. Explain how an unhealthy diet leads to obesity.
2. What is Type 2 diabetes, and how can diet contribute to it?
3. Why is too much saturated fat harmful?
4. Describe how salt affects blood pressure.
5. What is the role of fibre in preventing constipation?
6. How does a high-sugar diet affect teeth?
7. What is anaemia, and how does diet influence it?
8. Explain why a high-fat diet can lead to heart disease.
9. What is the difference between healthy and unhealthy fats?
10. How can lack of exercise worsen the effects of an unhealthy diet?
11. Describe how processed foods impact health.
12. What effect does too much salt have on the heart?
13. How does fibre benefit the digestive system?
14. Explain the connection between diet and immune health.
15. What is scurvy, and how does diet cause it?
16. Describe how obesity can affect daily life.
17. How does dehydration impact physical health?
18. What foods are commonly high in unhealthy fats?
19. How does an unhealthy diet increase the risk of cancer?
20. Explain why too much sugar can cause energy spikes and crashes.

Hard Level Questions

Advanced Concepts and Applications on the Impact of Unhealthy Diets

1. Explain the process of insulin resistance and how it relates to an unhealthy diet.
2. Describe how high blood pressure from a salty diet affects the body.
3. What are free radicals, and how does diet contribute to their formation?
4. Explain how saturated fats affect cholesterol levels.
5. How does an unhealthy diet affect mental health?
6. Discuss how an unhealthy diet during childhood affects growth and development.
7. Explain the role of antioxidants and how a poor diet can reduce their levels.
8. Describe how fatty liver disease develops from poor diet choices.
9. How does an unhealthy diet increase the risk of stroke?
10. Explain how low nutrient intake can weaken the immune system.
11. How can high cholesterol from a poor diet lead to heart attacks?
12. Explain how poor diet contributes to tooth decay and gum disease.
13. Describe how high sugar intake can lead to insulin spikes and weight gain.
14. Why does low fibre increase the risk of bowel diseases?
15. Explain how high-fat foods impact blood vessel health.
16. Discuss the effects of trans fats on health.
17. How does an unhealthy diet affect bone health over time?
18. Explain how alcohol in an unhealthy diet can damage the liver.
19. Describe how poor nutrition during pregnancy affects the baby’s health.
20. Explain the link between unhealthy diet and depression.

Answers and Explanations

Easy Level Answers

1. A diet lacking balance of nutrients – An unhealthy diet is often high in sugar, fats, and salt.
2. Sugar or fat – Unhealthy diets often contain too much sugar or unhealthy fats.
3. A condition of being very overweight – Obesity is excess body weight.
4. Type 2 diabetes – High-sugar diets can increase the risk of this disease.
5. Scurvy – Caused by a lack of Vitamin C.
6. Helps with digestion – Fibre aids digestion and prevents constipation.
7. High blood pressure – Too much salt raises blood pressure.
8. A disease caused by a lack of nutrients – Deficiency diseases occur due to poor diet.
9. Extra calories – The body stores excess calories as fat.
10. Anaemia – Low iron can lead to this condition.
11. Vitamins and minerals – These are often low in an unhealthy diet.
12. Foods high in sugar, fat, and salt – Junk foods are usually unhealthy.
13. They contain a lot of sugar – Too much sugar can harm teeth and lead to weight gain.
14. Nutrient deficiencies – Not getting enough nutrients leads to health problems.
15. Good health – A balanced diet supports health and well-being.
16. Weight gain and heart issues – Fatty foods contribute to these issues.
17. Weak bones – Vitamin D deficiency affects bones.
18. Lack of vitamins and fibre – Vegetables provide these important nutrients.
19. Weak bones and teeth – Calcium is needed for bone health.
20. Salt, sugar, and fats – Processed foods often contain high levels of these.

Medium Level Answers

1. Consuming more calories than needed – This leads to excess fat storage.
2. A condition where the body can’t regulate blood sugar – High sugar intake increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
3. It raises cholesterol – High cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease.
4. Raises blood pressure by retaining water – Salt can lead to heart strain.
5. It keeps food moving in the gut – Fibre prevents constipation by aiding digestion.
6. Leads to tooth decay – Sugar can cause cavities and damage teeth.
7. A condition from low iron – Anaemia causes tiredness and weakness.
8. Increases cholesterol and blocks arteries – High-fat diets strain the heart.
9. Unhealthy fats are solid at room temperature – These are more harmful than healthy fats.
10. Adds to weight gain and health risks – Exercise helps offset poor dietary habits.
11. Contain too much salt, sugar, and fats – Processed foods lack nutrients.
12. It strains the heart by raising blood pressure – Salt increases the workload on the heart.
13. Helps prevent digestive problems – Fibre is essential for a healthy digestive system.
14. Vitamins boost immunity – A healthy diet supports the immune system.
15. A disease from lack of Vitamin C – Scurvy affects skin and gums.
16. Limits movement and physical health – Obesity can make daily activities difficult.
17. Leads to tiredness and poor focus – Water is essential for hydration.
18. Crisps, cakes, processed meats – These are often high in unhealthy fats.
19. Damaged cells increase cancer risk – Poor diet contributes to disease risks.
20. Causes highs and lows in energy – Sugary foods lead to energy fluctuations.

Hard Level Answers

1. The body becomes less responsive to insulin – High sugar can lead to insulin resistance.
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. Damages arteries, increasing heart attack risk – High blood pressure affects circulation.

3. Unstable molecules that damage cells – Poor diet increases free radicals.
4. Increases ‘bad’ cholesterol – Saturated fats raise LDL cholesterol.
5. Lowers mood and increases stress – Nutrient-poor diets can affect mental health.
6. Lack of nutrients impacts growth – Children need nutrients for development.
7. Protect cells from damage – Antioxidants fight free radicals.
8. Builds up fat in the liver – High fat and sugar intake lead to liver damage.
9. Blocks blood flow to the brain – High cholesterol increases stroke risk.
10. Weakens ability to fight infections – Low nutrients affect immune strength.
11. Cholesterol builds up in arteries – Leads to blockages and heart attacks.
12. Sugars feed bacteria that harm teeth – Poor diet causes tooth decay.
13. Causes blood sugar spikes, stored as fat – High sugar intake leads to weight gain.
14. Fibre removes waste and toxins – Low fibre increases digestive problems.
15. Build-up of fats blocks blood flow – High-fat diets damage blood vessels.
16. Increase ‘bad’ cholesterol and inflammation – Trans fats are especially harmful.
17. Weakens bones over time – Poor diet leads to brittle bones.
18. Damages liver cells – Alcohol is toxic to the liver.
19. Poor diet harms foetal development – Nutrition is essential for healthy babies.
20. Leads to low energy and poor mood – Poor diet impacts brain function.

These questions and answers provide Year 7 students with a comprehensive understanding of unhealthy diets, covering fundamental concepts, intermediate explanations, and advanced implications of dietary choices. This will prepare them effectively for their Key Stage 3 exams.