OUR FOOD f 261

perishable food. The mode of storage Cleanliness and proper handling of

of food materials depends on whether foods, utensils and dishes are
they are perishable or non-perishable. important. Some of the common
Accordingly, there are two types of infections transmitted through the
storages — dry storage and cold food-handlers are diarrhoea,
storage. The mode of storage for non- dysentery, typhoid and para-typhoid
perishable foods (such as foodgrains, fever, protozoan cysts, eggs of worms
flour, cereals, sugar and spices) is or helminthes and _ bacterial
infections. Therefore, personal
called dry storage. They are stored at
hygiene of the food-handler is
room temperature and in airtight
important. The hands should be
containers, which protect them from
washed with soap every time before
dust, moisture, rodents and insects.
handling food in any manner.
The place for dry storage should be
Fingernails should be kept trimmed
clean and dry, cool, well ventilated and free from dirt. Coughing and
and free from rodents and insects. sneezing in the vicinity of food, finger
Perishable foods get spoiled with time licking, picking of nose or earwax
even at room temperature. Therefore, should be avoided.
they are stored at low temperatures. Proper sanitation of eating-places
Have you now understood why milk is another important factor. The
does not sour easily during winters kitchen doors and windows should
or when kept in a refrigerator? be preferably rat-proof, fly-proof and
Spoilage of perishable foods is due to self-closing type. Perishable and non-
the action of micro-organisms present perishable food materials should be
in them or in the surroundings. The stored separately. The vegetable and
low temperature slows down their other wastes should be stored in
growth and thus prevents the spoilage covered bins and disposed at a
of food materials. Storage of suitable site. Food particles and
perishable food materials at low grease sticking to the utensils used
temperature helps retain their for cooking and eating attract dust
nutritive value and reduce losses and micro-organisms that may cause
from spoilage. On a commercial scale, diseases. The cleaning of utensils and
fruits, vegetables and other perishable crockery should be done with hot
foods are stored in large cold storages water, using ash or a good quality
or deep freezers. At home, perishable detergent immediately after they have
foods are stored in a cool and dry been used. Clean and safe water
place or in a refrigerator. should be used for drinking, cooking
Food sanitation depends directly of food and washing of dishes.
upon the state of personal hygiene of Fruits and vegetables are another
the persons who handle it while source for spreading disease-causing
storing, cooking and serving. organisms, protozoan and helminthes. -
 SCIENCE AND
262 { TECHNOLOGY

All vegetables and fruits must be and cooked can ensure that
washed properly before they are Salmonella or any other bacteria do
consumed. Cooked vegetables are not get a chance to multiply.
likely to be free from these harmful Most bacteria reproduce fast in
organisms. Eating of meat and warm and humid conditions. If the
chicken in uncooked or half-cooked food is kept at a low temperature, the
forms may transmit disease-causing bacteria will reproduce only slowly, or
organisms or worms, which the not at all. If stored food is heated to
animal has been carrying. Disease- high temperature before it is
causing organisms easily grow on consumed, most of the bacteria get
meat, chicken and fish if these are not killed. So long as you eat the food soon
kept at low temperatures and are after it has been cooked or properly
exposed to flies and other sources heated, it will be safe. But there may
of contamination. still be some bacteria in the food,
Milk is also a source of disease- which have survived the cooking or
causing organisms. The sources of have fallen into it afterwards. Fooq
contamination of milk may be (a) the poisoning may also be due to the
dairy animals; (b) human handlers consumption of such food that has
and (c) the surroundings, such as use been spoiled due to the growth of
of contaminated vessels and polluted fungus or mould on it. A bad taste
water or exposure to flies and dust. and foul smell indicates that the
Pasteurization prevents contami- food has been infested with
nation of milk and helps to store it micro-organisms. Consumption of
for longer periods. such food may cause food poisoning.
Food Poisoning You already know how these
micro-organisms grow in the
Food poisoning is a very common foodstuffs, like bread.
disorder. It is usually caused by
micro-organisms like bacteria, which za Ls What could happen if cooked food
can reproduce rapidly. The common is kept uncovered?
examples of such bacteria are = 2. Why should greasy and dirty
Salmonella and Clostridium. is utensils not be used for eating?

4
Salmonella, for example, is a very 3. Which conditions are ideal for rapid
common bacterium, found almost growth of micro-organisms in stored
food?
everywhere. It is only when it has
multiplied itself into large populations 4, Make a list of uncooked items of food
that are found around you. Indicate
in a food that is consumed, it causes the importance of each one of these
food poisoning and makes you ill. in your diet. How can these items
Careful treatment of food while it is be protected from spoiling or
contamination?
being produced, processed, stored
 OUR FOOD | 263

14.5 Foop WASTAGE AND ITS proper temperature. Nutrient losses

PREVENTION also occur during pre-cooking and
cooking processes. For example,
A major part of our food comés from
washing of peeled vegetables and
a variety of fruits, vegetables and
some fruits may remove the water-
cereals. Most crops, as you know, are
soluble vitamins. Such losses can be
harvested only once a year. Similarly,
reduced if vegetables and fruits are
fruits and vegetables also have their
However, we need washed before cutting them. Similarly,
special seasons.
repeated washing of rice and dal may
food throughout the year for which it
remove water-soluble vitamins as well
has to be stored. Food materials are
as some minerals present in them.
frequently spoiled and damaged by
Thick peelings of vegetables and fruits
insects, worms, birds, rats and micro-
may often result in the loss of
organisms during their storage. important vitamins and minerals.
Therefore, the food has to be protected
against all possible causes of damage Loss of Nutrients during Cooking
or loss. Adopting proper methods for Cooking also affects the nutritive value
storing food materials can help to of food materials. It improves the taste
minimise their wastage. of some foods as well as makes it
A considerable amount of food digestible. At the same time, cooking
materials is often lost due to our also results in the loss of certain
customs and practices. A part of the nutrients. Heating of food materials
food prepared for feasts during social during their cooking may destroy some
and religious functions often gets of the vitamins and also change the
wasted due to poor management. As property of some nutrients like
individuals too, we often waste food proteins to varying degrees. Proteins
and food materials without caring for become hard and coagulated, for
their worth. The quantity of food example, in a hard-boiled egg, if it is
wasted in a day by an individual may heated for a long time. This makes it
be small, but the wastage by difficult for the body to absorb
individuals in a large population may proteins. Many useful proteins and
be quite high. Collective action to save considerable amounts of mineral are
food materials at all stages, that is, lost ifthe excess of water used during
production, storage, transport and cooking is thrown away. Addition of
consumption can help us in materials, like baking soda, during
minimising the wastage of food. cooking also destroys vitamins.
In addition to the wastage of food
during its storage, qualitative losses 14.6 PRESERVATION or Foop
in its nutritive value may also occur. Wastage of food materials can be
For example, the texture and vitamin reduced considerably by using
content of many fruits deteriorate appropriate technology for food
rapidly if they are not maintained ata preservation. Preservation of food
 { SCIENCE AND
264 TECHNOLOGY

essentially means retaining its on the fruits and vegetables preserved

nutritive value for a longer period. in them. You might have seen these
Some common methods of food being used in the preparation of
preservation are dehydration, deep- pickles, chutney, ketchups, jams,
freezing, pickling,and making jams __ jellies and squashes.
and jellies. Removal of water from Deep freezers are maintained at
fruits and vegetables is called very low temperature, which prevents
dehydration. Dehydration reduces growth of bacteria and inactivates
the moisture content of food materials _ other factors that can spoil perishable
and thus prevents the growth of food materials. It is used for storing
micro-organisms. This is done by fruits, vegetables, meat, fish
drying fruits and vegetables in the and fruits.
Sun or by removing their water Nowadays, many new technologies
content under controlled conditions are being introduced for the
of temperature and humidity. preservation and packaging of food
Sun-drying generally preserves materials. These are being used for
spinach, methileaves and cauliflower. the preservation of butter, peas and
A process called smoking is used for other vegetables, potato chips and
dehydrating meat, fish and their pre-cooked and preroasted foods.
products. In the process of smoking,
small pieces of meat or fish are
Name two methods used for the
dehydrated with the heat and smoke
_
Answer These

preservation of vegetables?
of the fire lit below them.
Why do we need to store food grains?
Salt, sugar syrup, vinegar and
some vegetable oils are widely used How will you store pulses?
for the preservation of fruits and Name some practices of food
preparation, which lead to loss of
vegetables. These materials do not nutrient value.
allow growth of bacteria and fungus
r

v4
Balanced diet, Carbohydrates, Fats, Food components, Food energy, Food
be hygiene, Food poisoning, Food preservation, Food quality, Food
ORDS

i substitution, Food wastage, Non-perishable foods, Nutrients, Perishable

-B | foods, Proteins, Vitamins, Minerals.
 OUR FOOD } 265

Summary
Our body needs adequate food for proper growth and maintenance.
Food has many components.
Carbohydrates are the main source of energy in our diet.
Proteins help in digestion of food, build body materials and help
in many body functions.
Fats are largely stores of energy.
Vitamins and minerals help in keeping our organs healthy.
Water is essential for life processes.
We should eat a balanced diet, which comprises all the nutrients
in proper proportions.
Expensive food is not always the best food. Food fads are based on
wrong information and beliefs.
Adopting proper methods of storage can minimise the wastage
of food.
food.
Each one of us should make sure not to overeat or waste
Foods are often cooked to make them tasty, more digestible and
safer by destroying the harmful bacteria. ~
cooking of
Many practices, such as peeling, cutting, washing and
vegetables, fruits and cereals often destroy certain vitamins and
minerals present in them.
Many nutrients of food materials are lost if proper methods are
not adopted for their storage.
Storage at low temperatures helps to reduce spoilage of vegetables,
fruits and cooked food.
Both indiscriminate serving and spoiling cause wastage of food.

Microbes (micro-organisms) grow very rapidly under suitable

conditions of temperature, moisture and availability of nutrients.
Some microbes can spoil food.
Cooked food should be protected against harmful bacteria, yeast
and moulds (fungi).
Many methods are used for the precomainan of perishable food
materials.
 SCIENCE AND
266 TECHNOLOGY

EXERCISES
Name three foods each rich in
(i) dietary fibre
(ii) sugar
(iii) protein
(iv) starch
(v) fats and oils.

Name the foods needed

(i) for strong bones and teeth
(ii) to prevent scurvy
(iii) to avoid constipation
(iv) for warmth
(v) for growth.
Name the types of food, which make up a balanced diet.
lies Oe des ae Oo

Why does a teenager need more food than a baby?

What are protective foods? Give two examples.
Why does our body need nutritious food?
Explain why you should :
(i) eat less cakes and ice-cream
(ii) remove most of the fat from meat
(iii) eat fresh food instead of processed food
(iv) eat more fruits and vegetables.

What is the role of carbohydrates and fats in our food?

Suggest some ways and means to prevent food wastage.
10. Why do fruits and vegetables get damaged more easily than
cereals?
11. Why is it essential to maintain fruits and vegetables at a lower
temperature for their safe storage?
12. How does food preservation help in ensuring food supply
throughout the year?
13. Name any two fruits that are preserved in sugar syrup.
14. List three common fruits and vegetables that are sun-dried.
 F

OUR FOOD } 267

15. How do salt and sugar help in the preservation of fruits and
vegetables?
16. Name five fruits and vegetables that are preserved by pickling.
17. Name three fruits that are generally preserved as jelly and
squash.
 m@ CHAPTER 15

Health and Diseases

YOU HAVE ALREADY studied the each other. Awareness of general
importance of a balanced diet in health problems is also very important.
maintaining proper health. Food is You know that living in unhygienic and
essential for us. However, the food insanitary conditions, such as slums
alone does not keep you in good and other such areas, affect our
health. Several factors, like cleanliness health. Large families, overcrowded
and sanitation of your house, your - houses and poverty also result in
surroundings, quality of food, ill-health. Roadside vendors, selling
drinking water and the purity of air, cut fruits and eatables, are a common
are very important. Thus, you can sight on roads and at school gates.
understand. that health and Such eatables, cut fruits and edibles
_€nvironment are directly related to that are uncovered, are prone to
 HEALTH AND DISEASES y 269

contamination, and may be even organs are functioning properly. Health

adulterated. The foodstuffs, when can vary in degree from one individual
exposed to flies and dust, may cause to another. Good health may mean
diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, dysentery building shoulders and thigh muscles
and cholera, especially during rainy to a wrestler, a slim body to a dancer
season. In this chapter, you willstudy and greater stamina to an athlete. It
about good health and some of the may mean good mental health and
factors affecting it. emotional stability and absence of
Your health is affected not only by diseases to others. Thus, health is a
unbalanced food but also by diseases, state of complete physical. mental and
which may be water-borne, air-borne social well-being. The physical and
or food-borne. Some diseases mental health are interrelated. Apart
(ill-health conditions) are caused by from good food for physical health,
through micro-organisms, personal hygiene and care of our
_ infection
insects and parasites. Infection environment are very important. Let us
develops when germs (microbes) enter first learn about overall importance of
your body. Disease-causing microbes proper food for health.
are found in the unclean environment A major problem in achieving good
around us. Therefore, in order to health is lack or ignorance of health
prevent diseases, youneed tokeep the education. The rate of malnutrition
environment clean and hygienic. You (inadequate nutrition) in the children
have already studied personalhygiene below 5 years of age is quite high in
and community hygiene. These help our country. Many pregnant women
in the prevention of the cause of suffer from anaemia. The infant
diseases. They can also check mortality rate due to malnutrition is
diseases from spreading. You may fall also quite high in some parts of the
ill due to germs entering your body or country. In spite of many local sources
due to wrong food habits. Both of cheap and nutritious food,
deficiency and excess ofnutrientscan ignorance keeps people away from
also cause disease-like symptoms. properly utilising them. Wrong food
Some diseases are caused by habits, customs and misconceptions
of essential nutrientsinour
deficiency about foods and their nutritional
diet. It might be of interest to you to values are responsible for poor health.
know how health education can help Children need more of energy-giving
prevent diseases and provide good and body-building food, as compared
health to people. to adults.
15.1 Goop HEALTH Cleanliness of Body
Good health may be considered that Human body is like a machine, which
state of human body when all its requires fuel along with cleanliness of
 SCIENCE AND
270 TECHNOLOGY

its own parts and its surroundings. house with the air. Garbage is formed
Our sense organs, such as eyes, ears, everyday in our homes due to the use
nose, tongue and skin, need careful of vegetables and fruits, waste papers
protection. Cleanliness protects these and food materials. Cockroaches, flies
organs from infectious diseases. and mice begin to take shelter in your
You should clean your eyes with house if you do not clean it regularly.
freshwater every morning and evening Cobwebs are formed if the rooms are
to keep them clean. You should also damp and dark.
clean your nose regularly at the time The dust, garbage, and in-house
of taking bath because you inhale insects become a source of many
dust particles whenever you go out. diseases. Only cleaning a house and
The dust particles are stopped by the sweeping the floors are not sufficient.
hair present in the nostrils. When you Cobwebs and insects, such as
sneeze or get cold, you should use a cockroaches, flies, mosquitoes and
clean handkerchief to clean your spiders, must be removed regularly.
nose. The tongue along with the teeth You should also paint and whitewash
must be cleaned twice in a day. As your house at regular intervals of time
the sweat from your body and the to keep them clean and beautiful. The _
outside dirt and dust make the body surroundings of the house must also
unclean and dirty, you must clean be kept clean and hygienic. Every
your body regularly. house must have very good ventilation
facilities. There must be provision for
Pa Raed proper exchange of air and light.

Activity Food Cleanliness ,

1 y
The food we eat must be hygienic.
Make a list of good and bad habits Clean surroundings alone can keep
that affect our health. You can the food hygienic. In many houses, the
appreciate the role of clean utensils containing food are not kept
environment and clean body for covered. The stored vegetables are also
maintaining good health. This will exposed to flies and insects. Some
be of great use in day-to-day life. people do not wash their hands before
eating. Some people eat the unwashed
Cleanliness of Houses
raw food materials, such as carrots,
Clean environment promotes health, tomatoes and fruits. On the roadsides
whereas dirty and unhygienic also, hawkers and vendors sell cut »
surroundings spread diseases. fruits, fruit juices with ice and
Usually, you like to live in a clean canesugar juice kept under filthy
house. You also try to keep your surroundings, which are subjected to
house and vicinity clean and disease-causing germs. Flies sitting on
beautiful. Normally, dust enters dirt, garbage and faecal matter come
 HEALTH AND DISEASES

wo
=
e
' incontact with germs. When these flies Food Selection
sit on the food items, the germs enter Expensive foods are often considered
the food. The people who eat these more nutritious. But, this is not true.
food items are likely to fall sick. Low-cost foods may be very rich in
Therefore, you should avoid eating cut nutritional value. Groundnuts are as
fruits and drinking sugarcane, much nutritious as almonds.
vegetable and fruit juices exposed to Sprouted seeds (moong and Bengal
dust and flies. gram), fermented foods (south Indian
foods, such as idlis) and a
combination of foods, (missi roti
Some Wrona Foop Hasits made from cereals and pulses)
1. Some people tale too much of provide a fairly high nutrition.
common salt (sodium chloride) in Therefore, you can also eat
their food. Such people may food,
inexpensive but wholesome
consume about 10-12 g salt per
such as banana, spinach, sattu,
day while their body needs only
half of it. Consumption of too jaggery, soyabean, pulses, groundnut
much salt may lead to high blood and many other such foods.
pressure. Rice is one of the major basic foods.
2. Excessive intake of fat-soluble De-husked or milled rice lose their
vitamins (Vitamins A, D, E and &) nutritional value (iron and Vitamin B,).
in the form of pills can lead to However, parboiled rice, Known as
hypervitaminosis. Vitamin A
parmal, is good for health because in
accumulates in liver, while
excess Vitamin D promotes high
this process the nutrients present in
calcium absorption, which can the skin of rice grain penetrate into it
damage kidneys. High doses of and, therefore, they are protected
vitamins to children may be quite against loss during milling. Vitamin C,
harmful. which is water soluble, is lost when
3. Excessive use of toothpastes pulses and vegetables are soaked
containing fluoride may cause, in in water for along time. Thus, very
the long run, abnormal
often, we eat an improper diet because
calcification of bones (fluorosis)
due to its affinity to retain of wrong food habits.
calcium. Groundwater, containing Balanced Diet
extra fluorides, in some areas is
also harmful. You already know that a diet that
4. Excessive intake of sugar or contains all the constituents of food
sugary substances and fats in the right proportion is called
(particularly animal fats) can balanced diet. For children, milk is the
lead to fat deposition around best food. During the period of their
abdomen and other parts of the growth, nutritious food is needed daily
body. This may cause different
ny in sufficient quantity. You have already
types of heart diseases.
SIET ET studied in the previous chapter that -
 Sayre
SCIENCE AND
272 | TECHNOLOGY

growing children, pregnant women deficiency of minerals, such as

and nursing mothers need more calcium, phosphorus, iron, iodine,
proteins in their diet. sodium, potassium and manganese
Deficiency of protective foods may also cause deficiency diseases.
(vitamins and minerals) also causes
Vaccination
deficiency diseases. Some diseases of
eyes, skin, bones and hair are caused It is acommon saying that prevention
by deficiency of vitamins. The is better than cure. To prevent certain
diseases, you can follow an
ai Ora Po.io Vaccine (OPV) immunisation programme through
Me You have heard of pulse polio vaccines. By vaccination, you can
_ immunisation. It constitutes the prevent diseases by enabling your
largest single day public health body systems to fight against the
event. It was conducted for the first disease-causing germs. They may
time in December, 1995, in an
attempt to eradicate polio from our enter the body through different ways
country. Let us know something and sources. As you already know,
about the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). developing the fighting capability ina
A dose of 3 drops is given orally to body is called immunisation. A
the child as per the National
new-born baby is inoculated with
Immunisation Schedule (NIS), that
is, one dose each at 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 triple vaccine of diphtheria, tetanus
months’ age anda booster dose at and whooping cough (DPT). Polio
the age of 1.5 years. The vaccine vaccine is also given orally. Vaccines
consists of milder_forms of polio viral are given on a massive scale to restrict
particles. After oral administration,
virus particles in the vaccine begin or prevent epidemics, such as cholera
to live in the intestine of the body and typhoid. Under the National
and multiply and prevent infection Health Programme, these vaccines are
of intestine. It also leads to given free of cost at all government
Production of protective molecules in
health centres.
the intestine and the blood. Many of
you might have seen children with
thin legs,
ain
wearing calipers and
incapable of walking properly. These Activity 2 y
children suffer from polio. Had they
been immunised with OPV, they Vaccination is used to prevent
would have been able to walk spread of diseases. You can visita
properly and enjoy their games, like primary health centre situated in
other children do. Therefore, you
must tell the parents of small your area and understand about
children in your neighbourhood to the immunisation programme.
get their children vaccinated with _ Study the immunisation charts
OPV. Also, such children need all the and learn about the various
encouragement from you to lead ¢
vaccines and their administration
normal life.
schedule.
 1,

HEALTH AND DISEASES 273

Recreation 1. Name the constituents of a

Answer These
balanced diet.
Good mental health includes
2. What is the importance of proper
physical, mental and social well- food selection?
being. Food gives nourishment to the List some bad food habits.
body, but the mental well-being

Heat
Why should we keep our houses
requires something other than food. clean?
This requirement is recreation, which 5. How is vaccination helpful for
keeping good health?
helps the people to feel fresh,
pleasant, friendly, affectionate, devoid
of tensions and frustrations. You can 15.2 Factors AFFECTING HEALTH
have recreation through radio, You know that there are several
television, reading good books, factors, which help in achieving good
visiting zoological gardens, museums, health. These include balanced diet,
parks, theatres, art galleries and cleanliness of body as well as
playing. The environment is also one environment, physical fitness through
of the agencies of recreation. You can exercise and a sound mental health.
feel pleasure by participating in some On the other hand, there are several
environment-related activities, such other factors, which can bring about
as social forestry and helping in ill-health or diseases.
keeping clean surroundings. You may Malnutrition
also engage yourself in some social- Malnutrition is a very serious problem
service activities, canvassing about
among some rural areas and children
the various health hazards and their from very poor families. The deficiency
preventive measures. Recreation
of proteins, carbohydrates and fats
keeps people physically and
(energy-giving foods) is known as
mentally healthy. protein energy malnutrition (PEM). It
Exercise manifests in two forms : kwashiorkor
You should take some regular and marasmus (Fig.15.1). If the diet
physical exercise for at least half an of mother is deficient in proteins, the
hour everyday. Running, cycling, breast-fed babies will suffer from
swimming and brisk walking help in protein deficiency.
burning excess fat present in the The diet may be deficient in
body. Exercise improves the proteins. This may lead to the disease.
functioning of heart, lungs and kwashiorkor. The main symptoms of
blood circulation. It also helps in this disease are stunted growth,
increasing the stamina (working swelling of face and proximal ends
capacity) of a person. Yoga is of limbs (especially the feet),
considered good for strengthening discolouration of hair, skin diseases
and relaxing the body. and diarrhoea. On the contrary, -
 ay
SCIENCE AND
274 TECHNOLOGY

Nutritional Anaemia
Nutritional anaemia is very commonly
seen among women of lower economic
groups. It is caused by deficiency of
iron in diet, which can be controlled
by taking foods rich in iron, such as
jaggery, whole wheat flour and dark
green vegetables (palak), etc.
Obesity
Overeating also causes diseases. You
know that a part of carbohydrates
and fats, which you do not burn by
working (body activities), is stored in
your body for future use. However,
continuous accumulation of unused
(b) fat under the skin and around the
Fig.15.1 Kwashiorkor and Marasmus abdomen makes us bulky or obese.
Wrong food habits, such as eating
marasmus occurs due to deficiency of high-energy-fat-rich foods (even when
both protein and carbohydrates our physical work load is reduced)
simultaneously. The child suffering can be responsible for obesity. Such
from marasmus becomes very lean
people may have high cholesterol
and thin. Its growth is completely
content in their blood, which gets
stopped. The child cannot move due
deposited in blood vessels and can
to lack of energy. These diseases occur
cause heart problems.
more in rural areas where illiteracy is
high. The children born in such areas Lack of proper functioning of body
are deprived of mother’s milk due to parts may cause one or more
close spacing of births. Many people diseases. A disease can be defined
do not realise the importance of as a disorder in the physical,
proteins in children’s diet. The. psychological or any other functioning
Government of India has started many of the body. Diseases can be caused
programmes to supplement food for by nutritional deficiency, biological
children and pregnant women and infective organisms, environmental,
nursing mothers to control social and psychological factors
malnutrition. These programmes (Table 15.1). You have already learnt
include Integrated Child Development about some of the deficiency
Schemes (ICDS) and mid-day meals diseases. Let us now discuss about
programme in schools. ° some of the communicable diseases
 ),

HEALTH AND DISEASES 275

Table 15.1
Some Common Diseases and their Causal Factors

Causal Factors Diseases

I. Nutritional Deficiency iL. Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM)

2. Anaemia
3. Obesity
4. Goitre
De Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency
Il. Biological agents a Water-borne, Food-borne and
(viruses, fungi, bacteria Air-borne diseases
parasites, protozoa
and insects)
Il. Organic factors es Uric acid : (gout — a disease of joints)
Di Calcium carbonate, calcium oxalate,
calcium phosphate deposition :
gall bladder and kidney stones.
3. Urea : Uraemia
IV. Environmental factors ih Insecticides, pesticides : toxic effects
Gases, fumes, dust from industrial
pollution : bronchial asthma
V. Psycho-social factors ths Mental disorders, duodenal ulcers
2 Hypertension
VI. Social factors 1. Smoking, drug abuse, drinking alcohol,
unhealthy lifestyle and social isolation.

and the ill-effects of consuming the best medium to carry any amount of
habit-forming substances. You are bacteria and virus that are harmful to
already aware that communicable human beings. Some examples of
diseases may spread from one person air-borne diseases are : (i) Whooping
te another person through air, water, Cough — It is caused by bacteria. Any
clothes and food. person suffering from cough for a long
time may develop whooping cough;
Air-borne Diseases (ii) Common Cold — It is spread through
Air pollution is caused by burning of air. Air gets contaminated with the
fuels, such as wood, coal and oil. common cold causing virus from an
Smoke coming out from chimneys of infected person to transmit it to a
factories, and automobiles also healthy person. Air pollution also
causes air pollution. causes some kind of allergy in
Air contains two types of pollutants : some persons.
(i) physical, such as carbon dioxide
(CO,), carbon monoxide (CO) and Water-borne Diseases
sulphur dioxide (SO,); (ii) biological, A large quantity of water available in
such as bacteria and virus. Air is the our country is polluted due to -
 SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY

discharge of sewage from human through parasites and cysts may drain
settlements and industrial effluents the nutrients. In the bodies of such
into water bodies. Many illnesses in children, oral polio vaccine (OPV) loses
our country are water-borne. Typhoid, its effectiveness. Therefore, a weak
jaundice, cholera, diarrhoea and child may be struck by polio, which is
dysentery are some of the common a water-borne disease. The diseases
water-borne diseases. In several like malaria, filaria and encephalitis,
communities, diarrhoea and dysentery which are water-borne in a way,
have become a part of life. Children have caused major epidemics in our
excrete parasitic eggs and cysts into country in the past. Some other
the soil and the sources of water where water-borne diseases are cholera,
they play. They may also pick up some typhoid and amoebiasis. Industrial
infection from there. The worms that effluents may also have an adverse
get into the body of the children effect on the cattle, and sometimes
aes at EP they are fatal.
f ae, REHYDRATION SOLUTION (ORS) Food-borne Diseases
Reseeaerinics, children suffer from ~ Roadside vendors are a common sight
se severe loss of water from the body
due to loose motions, heat stroke and
near school gates. Some of the items
perspiration or excessive vomiting sold by them are (i) peanuts,
caused by food poisoning. In such (ii) brightly coloured ice-creams,
conditions, a solution of salt and (iii} coloured water sold as juice,
sugar should always be immediately
(iv) sugarcane juice that is often
given to the patient. Loss of
excessive water from the body may exposed to flies, (v) mangoes and other
lead to its dehydration, which is a cut fruits, and (vi) spicy foodstuffs
very dangerous condition. During sprinkled with contaminated salt and
dehydration, there is a loss of chilli powder. All these foodstuffs
salts and water from the body.
contain colours and flavours, many of
Doctors recommend that ORS (Oral
Rehydration Solution), which is which are adulterants. Eating them
easily available (free of cost) at the may cause many health problems.
Primary Health Centres (PHC), Food items, especially cut fruits, which
should be immediately given to the are exposed to flies and dust, may
patient. It can be made at home by
mixing & tablespoons of sugar (40 g) —
cause diarrhoea, dysentery and cholera
and one tablespoon of common salt during the rainy season. Fruits are |
(5 g) in one litre of water that has— sometimes sprayed with pesticides to»
been boiled and then cooled. ORS protect them from decaying. Therefore,
makes up the mineral deficiency
all the fruits should be washed
caused by the loss of salts fro
body. It is called oral rehydra thoroughly before eating. You should
solution because it is given orall avoid eating cut fruits sold by roadside
gh NeI PLC ae
vendors, and taking sugarcane and
 HEALTH AND DISEASES y 277

fruit juices exposed to flies. You should It supports and sponsors the
always avoid eating those foodstuffs, programmes related to prevention,
which are not washed, and exposed to treatment and eradication of various
dust. Otherwise, their intake maylead diseases. Usually, the government
to serious food-borne diseases. hospitals at the district headquarters
run various programmes of the WHO.
Health-care Facility They organise eye camps, health
In our country, there are limited awareness campaigns, environmental
health-care facilities in the urban cleanliness programmes and
areas. It is inadequate in villages. community health melas.
There are national as well as many
UNICEF
international organisations, which
and help the UNICEF (United Nations International
also monitor
Children’s Emergency Fund) of the
programmes meant for prevention of
United Nations meets the various
diseases in our country.
requirements of the people in
Primary Health Centres developing countries. It brings
The Union and State Governments in awareness among children and
our country have developed health- adults about education, health,
care facilities under the ‘Health for All’ environmental care and protection,
programme. Primary Health Centres and many more things. It also supports
(PHCs), which are looked after by a financiallly and academically the
programmes related to the upliftment
qualified nurse, have been established
in every village, Some PHCs are also of children all around the globe.
linked to a hospital where all types of Stress
facilities and specialists are available
Our body sometimes works beyond
for treatment. The PHCs help in
the natural limits. This causes stress
treating the diseases, immunisation, in our body, which is the cause of
familiarisation with family welfare many body disorders and ailments.
programmes and providing free Astress may lead to emotional shock,
medicines to people. They also make overwork, mad race for doing work
an effort to popularise health-related beyond one’s capacity and poor
programmes among people through mental health (feeling of hatred, fear,
posters, health check-up camps, film anger and jealousy). Modern lifestyles
and puppet (kathputli) shows and include watching T.V. programmes,
street plays.
working on computers and use of
WHO Internet for various purposes for
WHO (World Health Organisation) is several hours everyday. Noise
concerned mainly with the health of pollution due to rock music and
the people living all around the globe. blaring horns and excessive driving
 ¥
SCIENCE AND
278 TECHNOLOGY

: also causes stress. Heart is one of the India. It is printed on each packet
most harassed organ in our body. of cigarettes.
Under the conditions of stress, it has
(b) Alcohol : It is not a food but a
to beat faster to cope with the stress.
stimulant and is a habit-forming
Excessive stress can cause a great
substance. It affects nervous
deal of damage to our body structure
system and may damage the liver.
by reducing the capacity of brain to It is very dangerous to drink
function properly. If the stressful alcohol and then drive a vehicle
conditions continue for longer (car/scooter/truck). The effect of
periods, our nervous system gets
alcohol can last for several hours.
overburdened. This may result in the
Alcohol is sometimes referred to
loss of our mental alertness.
as liquor. Like cigarette smoking,
Use of Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs consumption of liquors is
(a) Smoking : Cigarette and beedi injurious to health.
smoking and chewing of tobacco (c) Drugs : Some drugs, like cannabis
are quite prevalent in our country. (ganja), cocaine and heroin
Tobacco smoke is a stimulant, (smack) have harmful effects on
but a slow poison. Some of the the brain. The users of drugs
harmful components of tobacco become dependent on it, or
chewing or smoking are nicotine, addicted to it. Since the brain is
‘tar, carbon monoxide and some affected, there is a loss of control
other gases. Addiction to smoking of the body. Drugs can cause
is due to the presence of nicotine mental disorders. Drug addicts
in the tobacco. Nicotine can often get confused and are prone
damage heart and brain. The tar to accidents. An overdose of drugs
is formed in the lungs, when can result in death.
tobacco smoke cools inside them. no gt

It may cause cancer. Some gases

in tobacco smoke irritate the lungs
Activity 3 y
and make the smoker cough. All
these effects are injurious to Visit fifteen families in your
health. Non-smokers, who live locality and list the ailments from
with smokers, can also suffer lung which the people living there have
diseases due to left-over smoke suffered most frequently. Inquire
inhaled by the neighbouring non- specifically about the common
smokers. You must remember infections among the children,
that cigarette smoking is injurious such as diarrhoea, dysentery,
to health. Itis a statutory warning typhoid, fever, malaria and
issued by the Government of common cold. Make a note of
 Ue

HEALTH AND DISEASES j 279

diseases that are most common last chapter. You will now study
throughout the year in summers, the deficiency-diseases caused
in winters or during the due to Vitamin D (Rickets) and
rainy season. Vitamin C (Scurvy).
Vitamin D Deficiency Disease
1. What is malnutrition? What are its (Rickets)
Answer These

harmful effects?
2. How nutritional anaemia can be The word ‘rickets’ means to twist. It
cured? is a deficiency disease of infancy and
3. Name some water-borne diseases? early childhood in which the bones
4. List some food-borne diseases? are softened and deformed. It arises
5. How does air pollution affect our as aresult of deficiency of Vitamin D.
health?
This vitamin is essential for the
proper absorption of calcium and
15.3 Dericiency DISEASES phosphorus. Poor absorption and
Vitamin Deficiency utilisation of these minerals prevent
Vitamins are required by body in very the formation of strong and healthy
small amounts. They are called micro- bones and, therefore, results in
nutrients. The vitamins do not yield rickets. The disease often makes its
energy but enable the body to use appearance at the time of teething in
other food components effectively. children. It is more prevalent in the
Your body is sometimes unable to children of economically weaker
synthesise the vitamins. Therefore, classes. The major symptoms are :
they must be provided to your body (a) There is a marked weakness in the
by the food that you eat. A balanced bones of the child, which delays its
diet supplies the vitamins needed by ability to sit, crawl and walk. The
a healthy person. Vitamins are weight of the child’s body may bend
divided into two groups : the bones and joints and cause
deformities, such as bow legs and
(a) Fat-soluble vitamins — Vitamins
A, D, E and K. knock knees. The chest may also be
Water-soluble vitamins — deformed due to softening of ribs. It
(b)
Vitamins of B group and is called pigeon breast; (b) The child’s
Vitamin C. Each vitamin has a abdomen may protrude; (c) The limbs
specific function to perform in may assume an unnatural shape due
the body. Deficiency of any to weak muscles. It may be noted that
particular vitamin may lead to in women, Vitamin D deficiency may
a specific deficiency-disease. occur during pregnancy and lactation
You have already studied about (milk feeding of the new-born child).
the sources and functions of In our country, the overall incidence
Vitamins (A, B, C and D) in the of rickets has decreased considerably
 ‘y
SCIENCE AND
280 TECHNOLOGY

due to the proper health care system slow healing of wounds, and a lower
for the mother and the child. Synthesis resistance to various infections.
of Vitamin D in the skin depends Therefore, to prevent scurvy,
upon sunlight. Thus, complete lack sufficient amounts of citrus fruits,
of proper sunlight is a factor for the green and leafy vegetables, tomatoes
occurrence of this disease. Vitamin D and potatoes must be taken. It is
is found only in the foods of animal advisable to eat potatoes with skin,
origin, for example, fish liver oil, egg or after boiling them.
yolk, liver, butter and cow’s milk. Scurvy is more common in those
Daily intake of 200 to 400 I.U. infants who are not breast-fed. Cow’s
(International Unit) of this vitamin is milk contains less than half the
adequate to prevent the incidence of Vitamin C found in breast milk. This
rickets in normal children. is reduced further if the milk is boiled
or processed. Thus, all children, after
Vitamin C Deficiency Disease their birth, should be breast-fed forat
(Scurvy) least 8-10 months. This is the best way
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water- to provide all the essential nutrients
soluble vitamin. Out of all vitamins, to the child during this period.
it is the most sensitive to heat. It is Vitamin C is found in fresh fruits and
essential for normal growth and vegetables, but it is largely destroyed
maintenance of most body tissues, during cooking if baking soda (sodium
especially those of the joints, bones, hydrogencarbonate) is used. As the
teeth and gums. This vitamin is found normal diet does not contain sufficient
in citrus fruits, green and leafy amount of Vitamin C, it is necessary
vegetables, tomatoes and potatoes. to take citrus fruits, amla or tablets of
Scurvy is caused by the lack of ascorbic acid daily.
Vitamin C in food. It generally occurs Mineral Deficiency
between 6 and 8 months of age.
However, it can start much earlier in Minerals are inorganic substances
the children of those mothers who present in our food. They are also
lacked nutritious food during their called nutrients. Minerals do not
provide energy to body but they are
late stage of pregnancy. The main
required for growth, repair and
symptom of this disease is that the
regulation of important body
limbs become tender and painful and
functions. More than 50 chemical
the child becomes irritable. The limbs
elements are found in the human
adopt the characteristic frog position. body. They have been grouped as
Purple coloured swelling and bleeding (a) major minerals, which include
of gums occur if teething is in calcium, phosphorus, sodium,
progress in the child. Thus, scurvy potassium and magnesium; (b) trace
causes weakness, anaemia, bleeding elements, such as iron, iodine, zinc
gums and painful and swollen parts, and manganese.
 HEALTH AND DISEASES y 281

Calcium Deficiency egg yolk, milk and green vegetables.

Those deficient in phosphorus should
The human body needs calcium more
take juice of orange and lemon.
than any other mineral. Aman weighing
Presence of phosphorus, like calcium,
70 kg contains about one kg of calcium.
in daily diet is essential. Phosphorus
About 99 per cent of this quantity is
deficiency may bring about loss of
used for building bones and teeth in
weight, retarded growth and general
the body. The remaining amount of
calcium is used by the blood, muscles weakness. It may also result in poor
development of bones and the
and nerves. Calcium performs many
nervous system.
important functions. Without this
mineral, the contractions of the heart Iron Deficiency
become faulty; the blood does not clot Iron is an important part of blood. It
and muscles do not contract properly, gives red colour to the blood and
resulting in faulty limb movements. transmits oxygen to body. It is needed
Deficiency of calcium may cause for the formation of blood cells (red
porous and fragile bones, tooth decay, blood corpuscles, RBC). The adult
loss of sleep and irritability. A large human body contains about 3-4
increase in dietary supply of calcium grams of iron, of which two-thirds is
is needed for persons suffering from present in the blood. It is especially
rickets. Calcium is found in milk and needed by women during pregnancy.
milk products, whole wheat, Its deficiency causes anaemia and
leafy vegetables, such as spinach
other symptoms, such as fatigue, loss
and cabbage, carrots, oranges, of appetite, pale body colour, white
lemons, almonds and walnuts. The nails, and the swelling of hands and
requirement of calcium is larger for feet. In our country, anaemia is very
growing children and pregnant and common in women. Therefore, their
lactating women. daily diet should contain adequate
Phosphorus Deficiency quantities of low-cost iron-rich foods,
such as whole wheat flour, Jaggery and
For the development of body,
dark green vegetables.
phosphorus is also very important.
Yellapragada Subba Row, an
A balance between phosphorus and
Indian scientist, discovered the role
calcium is necessary for the proper of Vitamin B,, in curing pernicious
growth of bones and teeth, and in the anaemia. He also discovered
formation of nerve cells. This mineral medicine for filariasis.
is also essential for the digestion of
carbohydrates and fats. Phosphorus Iodine Deficiency
is found in abundance in cereals Iodine is an important requirement
(wheat, bajra and maize); pulses of our body. It is a very important
(urad, soyabean and moong), nuts, component of thyroxin, a hormone
 SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY

YELLAPRAGADA SuBBA Row

Yellapragada Subba Row was born on 12 January, 1895 in Bhimavaram in West
Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. He studied for his schooling at Madras (now
known as Chennai). After completing his intermediate course at the Presidency
College Madras, he joined Madras Medical College in 1915. For Subba Row, finding
cures for dreaded diseases was the only mission of life. He felt that diseases were
the major enemy of mankind and these caused severe tragedies to countless famities
at that time in India. After completing his medical degree in India, he obtained the
diploma in tropical medicine in 1924. from USA. Private medical practice never attracted
Subba Row. He had a keen desire to discover medicine that would cure dreaded
diseases like Tropical sprue, Cancer and Filariasis. In 1925, Subba Row developed
a method for the determination of phosphorus concentration in the human tissue in
the laboratory of Dr. Cyrus Fiske in America, known as Fiske-Subba Row method.
He discovered biochemical changes that take place in the human muscle during
exertion and contraction. He found that a resting muscle had higher concentration of
phosphocreatine than a fatigued muscle. Subba Row obtained a Doctorate degree
on this subject in 1930. Later, he solved the problem of pernicious anaemia and
discovered the role of Vitamin B,, in curing it. This work set off a worldwide search
for vitamins. He also discovered the cause of Tropical sprue disease as folic acid
deficiency. Subba Row discovered tetracyclines, which are one of the most widely
used broad spectrum antibiotics of today. He discovered diethyl carbamazine as
the medicine for Filariasis. He also developed Teorpterin as the effective medicine
against blood cancer (leukaemia). Thus, Subba Row’s main mission was to achieve
a conquest over diseases. He died in 1948 at an early age of 53. In his death, India
lost a promising scientist.
rare aE = EE EE ae ol

secreted by the thyroid gland situated quantities of seafood which contains

in the neck. Iodine deficiency can iodine. It is more common in
cause disorders resultinginretarded mountainous regions where the
growth and mental disability. Italso iodine content of the soil and water is
causes abnormal enlargement ofthe low. In many parts of our country,
thyroid gland, commonly known as ___ people are afflicted with goitre. Adding
goitre. This conditionisrareamongst iodine salts to cooking salt or to the
people living along the sea-coast as__ drinking water supply can help in the
they normally take sufficient prevention of goitre.
 a 9%
“en! 4
Sy a?
My.”

HEALTH AND DISEASES 283

Table 15.2 summarises the 1. What are deficiency diseases?

Answer These
sources and deficiency diseases 2. List some diseases that are caused
caused by some of the vitamins and by vitamin deficiency in the body.
minerals. You will study more about 3. What are the functions of iron and
iodine in the body?
vitamins and minerals in higher
4. What are the sources of Vitamins
classes. C and D?
5. What are the causal factors for
scurvy and rickets?

Table 15.2
Sources, Functions and Deficiency Diseases Caused by Some
| Vitamins and Minerals
| Vitamin/ Mineral Source Need Deficiency can cause

Vitamin C Oranges, For healthy Scurvy :

lemons, skin and Bleeding gums and
grapefruit, gums and to nose, which may
green heal wounds also occur inside
vegetables, quickly the body.
potatoes
Vitamin D Milk, butter, For strong Rickets :
eggs, fish, bones and The bones
liver (also teeth become soft
made by skin and bend.
in the sunlight)
Calcium Milk, eggs For strong Rickets
bones and
teeth
Phosphorus Milk, apple, Children and Teeth and
beans, dry women need bones become
fruits, pulses, it most for weak, mental
cereals, green body weakness,
chillies, rye development rickets among
and strength; children
helps in
digesting food
Iodine Sea foods, For thyroxin Goitre :
green hormone, iodine
vegetables, controls body deficiency
ginger, water, temperature, disorders
fish liver oil, mental
iodised salt development
Tron Liver, For making Anaemia :
spinach red blood cells paleness of
body and
loss of energy
 SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY

Summary
Body care is essential for proper health.
Regular exercise helps in maintaining good health.
Many national and international health organisations (like WHO)
implement different programmes for creating health awareness
and improving standards of health.
Vaccination helps develop immunity and resistance to certain
diseases.
Many diseases can be controlled by balanced diet, cleanliness and
taking preventive measures.
Communicable diseases spread through water, food, air, direct
contact, insects, worms and animals.
Timely precautions help prevent spread of communicable diseases.
Nails and hairs could act as carriers of various diseases.
Dust particles may have damaging effect on eyes and internal
organs.
Rickets is a deficiency disease of infancy and early childhood in
which the bones are softened and deformed.
Scurvy is caused by a lack of Vitamin C in the diet. It generally
occurs between 6 and 18 months of age but can start much earlier
in the case of those children whose mothers lacked nutritious
food during the late stage of their pregnancies.

EXERCISES
1. Give two examples to show that the health of a person can be
affected by his surroundings.
2. Can you keep good health if your home is clean but your
neighborhood is dirty and unhygienic? If not, why?
What measures would you take to ensure community health?
What is nutritional disease? Give two examples.
 HEALTH AND DISEASES } 285

What happens when there is an imbalance in your nutrition?

Name any two diseases that are caused by bacteria.

What is polluted air? How cigarette smoking is injurious to
health?
How does alcohol affect us? Why is the habit of taking narcotic
drugs so dangerous?
Give examples of three calcium-deficiency diseases.
10. How can unregulated disposal of human, domestic and
industrial wastes pollute water sources?
11. Why does dehydration set in during diarrhoea? What should
be done to prevent it?
12. Fill in the blanks :
(i) Health is a state of well-being.
(ii) Staying healthy depends on the person and his/her

(iii) Community health and ________ are very important.

(iv) The disease caused by the body’s reaction to some foreign
materials is called

13. State, giving reasons, whether the following statements are

true or false?
(i) Good health means absence of any disease in the body.
(ii) Staying clean is not needed for good health as long as
you eat a balanced diet.
(iii) Children need not be immunised.
14. Explain the following by giving suitable examples :
(i) Malnutrition
(ii) Infection caused by house-fly
(iii) Obesity
(iv) Scurvy
(v) Hypervitaminosis
(vi) Wll-effects of tobacco
(vii) Anaemia
(viii) Rickets
(ix) Kwashiorkor
(x) Marasmus
 CONSTITUTION OF INDIA
Part IVA

Fundamental
Duties of Citizens

ARTICLE 51A
Fundamental Duties - It shall be the duty of every citizen of India —

(a) to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions,
the National Flag and the National Anthem;

(b) to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national
struggle for freedom;

(c) to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;

{d) to defend the country and render national service when called upon
to do so;

(e) To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst

all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional
or sectlonal diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the
dignity of women;

it} to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;
to protect and improve the natural environment including forests,
lakes, rivers, wild life and to have compassion for living creatures;

(bh) to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry
and reform;

(i) to safeguard public property and to abjure violence;

@ to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective

activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of
endeavour and achievement.
 EKLAVYA LIBRARY, INDORE
Ph. 0731-2465009
e-mail : library@eklavya.in www.eklavya.in

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NATIONAL COUNCIL OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING
‘i ISBN : 81-7450-142-8