Identification should include
- defining the terms nutrient, macronutrient, and micronutrient, to include protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water
- listing, for each type of nutrient
- its functions in the body (e.g., carbohydrates for energy, protein for muscle and tissue repair)
- its role in preventing or contributing to chronic disease (e.g., fresh fruits and vegetables can promote healthy body weight and decrease the likelihood of diabetes; high consumption of saturated fats/trans fats can contribute to heart disease and cancer; inadequate calcium consumption can lead to osteoporosis)
- its presence in food sources (e.g., vitamin A in carrots, vitamin B in grains, calcium in dairy products, iron in legumes)
- the effects of a deficiency of a nutrient (e.g., pellagra, scurvy, osteoporosis)
- the effects of toxicity associated with a nutrient (e.g., ketosis, excessive bleeding, diarrhea).
Process/Skill Questions:
Thinking
- Why should we be aware of nutrients and their functions?
- What can happen if we receive insufficient nutrients?
- What nutrients tend to be included in a typical teenager’s diet?
- Which nutrients tend to be deficient? Are nutrients’ effects on the body different for different family members? Why, or why not?
Communication
- What are our sources of information about nutrients?
- How can we tell if these sources are reliable?
- What are the arguments for and against taking large doses of specific nutrients, for example, vitamins or minerals?
Leadership
- What leadership skills are needed to teach others about nutritional needs? About the effects of nutrients on the body?
- Why should high school students be concerned about their nutrient intake?
- Why is it your responsibility to ensure that you and your family members receive a sufficient daily dose of essential nutrients?
Management
- What management skills can we use to ensure that our diet includes enough of the right nutrients?
- What resources are available when we need information pertaining to the effects of nutrients on the body?
- What types of foods does a family shopper need to select in order to ensure that all family members receive the nutrients they need?