CBSE Class 6 General Knowledge

Unit 4: Science & Technology

Lesson: Food, Nutrition, and Health

📘 Study Module: Food, Nutrition, and Health

1. Introduction

Food is essential for the survival of all living beings. It provides energy, helps in growth, repairs the body, and keeps us healthy. Good nutrition and healthy habits are necessary for a strong and active body.

2. Meaning of Food

Food is any substance that we eat or drink to obtain energy and nutrients. Different foods provide different nutrients required by the body.

3. Nutrients and Their Types

Nutrients are substances in food that nourish the body. The main nutrients are:

• Carbohydrates
• Proteins
• Fats
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Water

Each nutrient has a specific role in maintaining health.

4. Balanced Diet

A balanced diet is a diet that contains all nutrients in the right amounts. It includes cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, milk, and fats. A balanced diet helps maintain good health.

5. Nutrition

Nutrition is the process by which the body takes in food and uses it for energy, growth, and repair. Poor nutrition can lead to diseases and weakness.

6. Health

Health means a state of physical and mental well-being. Good health depends on nutritious food, clean surroundings, exercise, and proper rest.

7. Deficiency Diseases

Lack of nutrients can cause deficiency diseases such as:

• Night blindness (Vitamin A deficiency)
• Scurvy (Vitamin C deficiency)
• Rickets (Vitamin D deficiency)
• Anaemia (Iron deficiency)

📝 Questions and Answers

A. Short Answer Questions

(One sentence each)

1. What is food?
   Answer: Food is a substance that provides energy and nutrients to the body.
2. What are nutrients?
   Answer: Nutrients are substances in food that nourish the body.
3. Name any two nutrients.
   Answer: Carbohydrates and proteins are nutrients.
4. Which nutrient gives energy?
   Answer: Carbohydrates give energy.
5. Which nutrient helps in body building?
   Answer: Proteins help in body building.
6. What is a balanced diet?
   Answer: A balanced diet contains all nutrients in proper amounts.
7. What is nutrition?
   Answer: Nutrition is the process of taking in and using food.
8. What is health?
   Answer: Health is a state of physical and mental well-being.
9. Name one deficiency disease.
   Answer: Anaemia is a deficiency disease.
10. Which nutrient prevents night blindness?
    Answer: Vitamin A prevents night blindness.

B. Long Answer Questions

(3–5 sentences each)

11. Explain the importance of food.
    Answer: Food provides energy for daily activities. It helps in growth and development of the body. Food repairs damaged tissues. It also protects us from diseases.
12. Describe carbohydrates and fats.
    Answer: Carbohydrates are the main source of energy. Foods like rice and wheat contain carbohydrates. Fats provide stored energy and keep the body warm. Oils and butter are rich in fats.
13. Explain the role of proteins.
    Answer: Proteins help in growth and repair of body tissues. They are known as body-building foods. Pulses, milk, and eggs are rich in proteins. Proteins are important for growing children.
14. Write a note on vitamins.
    Answer: Vitamins protect the body from diseases. They help in proper functioning of the body. Different vitamins have different roles. Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of vitamins.
15. What are minerals and why are they important?
    Answer: Minerals help in building strong bones and teeth. Iron helps in blood formation. Calcium strengthens bones. Minerals are essential for body functions.
16. Explain a balanced diet.
    Answer: A balanced diet contains all nutrients in correct amounts. It includes cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, milk, and fats. It provides energy and protects from diseases. It keeps the body healthy.
17. What is malnutrition?
    Answer: Malnutrition is a condition caused by lack of proper nutrition. It occurs when the body does not get enough nutrients. Malnutrition can cause weakness. It affects growth and health.
18. Describe any two deficiency diseases.
    Answer: Night blindness is caused by deficiency of Vitamin A. It affects vision in dim light. Anaemia is caused by lack of iron. It leads to weakness and tiredness.
19. How does nutrition affect health?
    Answer: Proper nutrition keeps the body strong. It helps prevent diseases. Poor nutrition leads to illness. Good nutrition ensures good health.
20. What habits help maintain good health?
    Answer: Eating nutritious food maintains health. Regular exercise keeps the body fit. Cleanliness prevents diseases. Adequate rest is also important.

🧠 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

(With Answers and Detailed Explanations)

1. Which nutrient gives energy?
   a) Protein
   b) Vitamin
   c) Carbohydrate
   d) Mineral
   Answer: c) Carbohydrate
   Explanation: Carbohydrates are the main energy-giving nutrients.
2. Which nutrient is body-building?
   a) Fat
   b) Protein
   c) Vitamin
   d) Water
   Answer: b) Protein
   Explanation: Proteins help in growth and repair.
3. Which vitamin prevents night blindness?
   a) Vitamin B
   b) Vitamin C
   c) Vitamin D
   d) Vitamin A
   Answer: d) Vitamin A
   Explanation: Vitamin A is needed for good eyesight.
4. Which nutrient keeps the body warm?
   a) Protein
   b) Vitamin
   c) Fat
   d) Mineral
   Answer: c) Fat
   Explanation: Fats provide stored energy and warmth.
5. A balanced diet contains ______.
   a) only fruits
   b) only cereals
   c) all nutrients
   d) only proteins
   Answer: c) all nutrients
   Explanation: A balanced diet includes all nutrients.
6. Which mineral helps in blood formation?
   a) Calcium
   b) Iron
   c) Iodine
   d) Sodium
   Answer: b) Iron
   Explanation: Iron helps in making haemoglobin.
7. Scurvy is caused by deficiency of ______.
   a) Vitamin A
   b) Vitamin B
   c) Vitamin C
   d) Vitamin D
   Answer: c) Vitamin C
   Explanation: Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy.
8. Which food is rich in proteins?
   a) Rice
   b) Butter
   c) Pulses
   d) Sugar
   Answer: c) Pulses
   Explanation: Pulses contain proteins.
9. What does nutrition mean?
   a) Eating food only
   b) Cooking food
   c) Using food for body needs
   d) Buying food
   Answer: c) Using food for body needs
   Explanation: Nutrition involves intake and use of food.
10. Which disease is caused by iron deficiency?
    a) Rickets
    b) Anaemia
    c) Scurvy
    d) Goitre
    Answer: b) Anaemia
    Explanation: Anaemia occurs due to lack of iron.
11. Which vitamin helps in healthy bones?
    a) Vitamin A
    b) Vitamin B
    c) Vitamin C
    d) Vitamin D
    Answer: d) Vitamin D
    Explanation: Vitamin D strengthens bones.
12. Which nutrient is needed in large amounts?
    a) Vitamins
    b) Minerals
    c) Carbohydrates
    d) Iron
    Answer: c) Carbohydrates
    Explanation: Carbohydrates are needed in large quantity.
13. Which food gives instant energy?
    a) Rice
    b) Sugar
    c) Pulses
    d) Vegetables
    Answer: b) Sugar
    Explanation: Sugar gives quick energy.
14. Which habit helps good health?
    a) Skipping meals
    b) Eating junk food
    c) Regular exercise
    d) Sleeping late
    Answer: c) Regular exercise
    Explanation: Exercise keeps the body fit.
15. Which nutrient helps fight diseases?
    a) Protein
    b) Vitamin
    c) Fat
    d) Carbohydrate
    Answer: b) Vitamin
    Explanation: Vitamins protect against diseases.
16. Which is a deficiency disease?
    a) Malaria
    b) Dengue
    c) Anaemia
    d) Cholera
    Answer: c) Anaemia
    Explanation: Anaemia is caused by nutrient deficiency.
17. Which food is rich in vitamins?
    a) Fruits
    b) Oil
    c) Sugar
    d) Rice
    Answer: a) Fruits
    Explanation: Fruits are rich in vitamins.
18. Which nutrient helps repair tissues?
    a) Fat
    b) Protein
    c) Vitamin
    d) Water
    Answer: b) Protein
    Explanation: Proteins repair body tissues.
19. What does good health depend on?
    a) Only food
    b) Only exercise
    c) Food, exercise, and rest
    d) Only rest
    Answer: c) Food, exercise, and rest
    Explanation: All three are needed for health.
20. Which nutrient is needed for strong bones?
    a) Iron
    b) Calcium
    c) Sodium
    d) Potassium
    Answer: b) Calcium
    Explanation: Calcium strengthens bones.

✅ End of Lesson

Prepared strictly in accordance with the NCERT syllabus and CBSE Class 6 examination standards.