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1.3.8Unit 1: Lifestyle, Transport, Genes and Health

Data on Effect of Diet — IAL Edexcel Linear Revision Notes & Topical Questions

5 min read 5 parts Lesson 26 of 29 Unit quiz

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Section 1 of 5Diet and Disease

1.3.8 Data on Effect of Diet
Saturated fat
  • Diets high in saturated fat tend to raise LDL cholesterol,
    • which is linked with a higher risk of CVD,
    • although studies do not always agree.
Salt
  • High salt intake increases blood pressure in many people, raising the risk of damage to the artery lining.
Fibre and plants
  • Diets rich in fruit, vegetables and wholegrains are linked with lower CVD risk.
Public information
  • Food labels and traffic light systems help consumers see the fat, sugar and salt content of foods.

Section 2 of 5Measuring Obesity

Measuring Obesity
BMI
  • Body mass index is mass in kilograms divided by height in metres squared, expressed in kg/m².
BMI categories
  • Below 18.5 is underweight, 18.5 to 24.9 is healthy, 25 to 29.9 is overweight and 30 or more is obese.
Waist-to-hip ratio
  • This is the waist circumference divided by hip circumference; a high value shows fat stored around the abdomen,
    • which carries a greater health risk.
Limitations
  • BMI does not distinguish muscle from fat, so very muscular people may be classed as overweight.

Section 3 of 5Other Public Health Measures

1
Research on smoking led to health warnings on packets, advertising restrictions and support to help people quit.
2
Evidence that inactivity raises CVD risk has led to campaigns encouraging exercise, including more physical education in schools.
3
Data on diet and obesity has encouraged food labelling, reduced salt and sugar in products and healthy eating campaigns.
4
The effectiveness of each measure is judged by monitoring changes in the incidence of CVD over time.
5
Individual choice is influenced by cost, convenience and education, so not everyone has equal opportunity to make healthy choices.

Section 4 of 5Worked Example

Question

  • A person has a mass of 70 kg and a height of 1.75 m.
  • Calculate the BMI and state the category.

  1. BMI = mass ÷ height².
  2. Height² = 1.75 × 1.75 = 3.0625 m².
  3. BMI = 70 ÷ 3.0625 = 22.9 kg/m².

Answer The BMI is 22.9 kg/m², which is within the healthy range of 18.5 to 24.9.

Section 5 of 5Exam Checklist & Tips

1.3.8 – Key Points for the Exam

  • BMI
    • Body mass index;
      • mass in kg divided by height in m squared.
  • Waist-to-hip ratio Waist circumference divided by hip circumference.
  • Obese Having a BMI of 30 kg/m² or above.
  • Incidence The number of new cases of a disease in a population in a given time.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting to square the height when calculating BMI.
  • Using centimetres instead of metres for height.
  • Assuming BMI is accurate for everyone, including athletes with high muscle mass.
  • Stating that one study proves a link between a food and disease when others disagree.

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