Bnd 3104 Nutrition And Dietetics

## Bnd 3104 Nutrition And Dietetics ## Exam Questions and Answers --- ## SECTION A: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS ### 1. Differentiate between essential and non-essential amino acids (4 Marks) **Answer:** **Essential Amino Acids** are amino acids that the body cannot synthesize on its own or produces in insufficient amounts. Therefore, they **must be obtained through diet**. Examples include: * **Leucine** * **Isoleucine** * **Valine** * **Lysine** **Non-Essential Amino Acids** are amino acids that the body can synthesize in sufficient amounts, meaning they do not necessarily need to be supplied by the diet. Examples include: * **Alanine** * **Glutamine** * **Glycine** * **Tyrosine** --- ### 2. Explain the importance of dietary fiber (5 Marks) **Answer:** **Dietary fiber** is crucial for maintaining optimal health for several reasons: * **Digestive Health**: Fiber promotes **regular bowel movements** and prevents **constipation** by adding bulk to stool and facilitating its passage through the digestive tract. * **Weight Management**: High-fiber foods increase **satiety** and help control appetite, leading to reduced calorie intake and better weight management. * **Blood Sugar Control**: **Soluble fiber** slows down the absorption of sugar, helping to regulate **blood glucose levels** and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. * **Cardiovascular Health**: Fiber, particularly **soluble fiber**, helps lower **blood cholesterol levels** by binding to cholesterol particles and removing them from the body, reducing the risk of heart disease. * **Colon Health**: Fiber promotes healthy gut bacteria and may reduce the risk of **colorectal cancer** and other gastrointestinal disorders. --- ### 3. Differentiate between major minerals and trace minerals (6 Marks) **Answer:** **Major Minerals** (also called **macrominerals**): * Required by the body in amounts **greater than 100 mg per day**. * Present in the body in **larger quantities** (more than 5 grams). * Examples include: **Calcium**, **Phosphorus**, **Magnesium**, **Sodium**, **Potassium**, **Chloride**, and **Sulfur**. * Functions: Building bones and teeth, maintaining fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction. **Trace Minerals** (also called **microminerals**): * Required by the body in amounts **less than 100 mg per day**. * Present in the body in **very small quantities** (less than 5 grams). * Examples include: **Iron**, **Zinc**, **Iodine**, **Selenium**, **Copper**, **Manganese**, **Fluoride**, and **Chromium**. * Functions: Enzyme activation, hormone production, immune function, and antioxidant activities. --- ### 4. Suggest five benefits of breastfeeding to infants (5 Marks) **Answer:** * **Optimal Nutrition**: **Breast milk** provides the perfect balance of nutrients specifically designed for infant growth and development, including proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals in ideal proportions. * **Immune Protection**: Breast milk contains **antibodies**, white blood cells, and antimicrobial factors that protect infants from infections, including respiratory infections, ear infections, and diarrheal diseases. * **Digestive Health**: Breast milk is easily digestible and promotes the development of **healthy gut bacteria**, reducing the risk of gastrointestinal problems like colic and constipation. * **Cognitive Development**: Breastfeeding has been associated with improved **cognitive development** and higher IQ scores due to the presence of essential fatty acids like **DHA**. * **Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases**: Breastfed infants have lower rates of **obesity**, type 1 and 2 diabetes, asthma, allergies, and **sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)**. --- ### 5. Distinguish between soluble and insoluble fiber with examples of sources (5 Marks) **Answer:** **Soluble Fiber:** * **Dissolves in water** to form a gel-like substance. * Helps lower **blood cholesterol** and **glucose levels**. * Slows digestion and promotes satiety. * Sources: **Oats**, **barley**, **beans**, **lentils**, **apples**, **citrus fruits**, **carrots**, **psyllium**. **Insoluble Fiber:** * **Does not dissolve in water**. * Adds bulk to stool and helps food pass through the digestive system. * Prevents **constipation** and promotes regular bowel movements. * Sources: **Whole wheat products**, **wheat bran**, **brown rice**, vegetables (**cauliflower**, **green beans**), **nuts**, **seeds**, **potato skins**. --- ### 6. Explain the limitations of early introduction of complementary feeds to infants (5 Marks) **Answer:** * **Immature Digestive System**: Infants under 6 months have an immature digestive system that cannot properly digest complex foods, leading to **gastrointestinal discomfort**, diarrhea, or malabsorption. * **Increased Risk of Infections**: Early introduction of complementary foods may expose infants to contaminated food and water, increasing the risk of **infecti