← Nutrition & Food Science syllabus

Northern IrelandNutrition & Food Science

Diet, Lifestyle and Health

7 dot points across 7 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How does diet affect bones, teeth and blood, and which conditions arise when key nutrients are short?

Diet-related conditions of bone, teeth and blood: osteoporosis and the role of calcium and vitamin D, dental caries and the role of free sugars and fluoride, and iron-deficiency anaemia and the role of iron and vitamin C, with the dietary advice for each.
A CCEA A-Level Nutrition and Food Science answer on diet-related conditions of bone, teeth and blood: osteoporosis and calcium and vitamin D, dental caries and free sugars and fluoride, and iron-deficiency anaemia and iron and vitamin C, with the dietary advice for each.
12 min answer →

How does diet and lifestyle affect the risk of coronary heart disease, and how can it be reduced?

Coronary heart disease: atherosclerosis and the link between blood cholesterol, saturated fat, salt and the disease, the dietary, lifestyle and non-modifiable risk factors, the consequences, and the dietary advice for prevention.
A CCEA A-Level Nutrition and Food Science answer on coronary heart disease: atherosclerosis and the role of blood cholesterol, saturated fat and salt, the dietary, lifestyle and non-modifiable risk factors, the consequences, and the dietary advice for prevention.
12 min answer →

How does diet affect cancer risk, and what dietary advice can lower it?

Diet and cancer: the dietary and lifestyle factors that raise or lower cancer risk (red and processed meat, fibre, fruit and vegetables, alcohol, obesity and salt), the focus on bowel cancer, and the dietary advice for prevention.
A CCEA A-Level Nutrition and Food Science answer on diet and cancer: the dietary and lifestyle factors that raise or lower cancer risk (red and processed meat, fibre, fruit and vegetables, alcohol, obesity and salt), the link to bowel cancer, and the dietary advice for prevention.
12 min answer →

What current dietary guidelines and government strategies exist, and how are they meant to improve public health?

Current dietary guidelines and government strategy: the Eatwell Guide and the 8 tips for healthy eating, the role of bodies such as Public Health England and SACN, reference intakes and food labelling, and public-health initiatives to improve diet.
A CCEA A-Level Nutrition and Food Science answer on current dietary guidelines and government strategy: the Eatwell Guide and 8 tips for healthy eating, the role of SACN and public-health bodies, reference intakes and food labelling, and initiatives to improve the nation's diet.
12 min answer →

How do the nutrients in food behave when we prepare and cook it, and how can we use these properties?

The functional and chemical properties of nutrients in food: protein denaturation, coagulation and foaming, starch gelatinisation and dextrinisation, the caramelisation of sugar and the Maillard reaction, and how these properties are used in food preparation.
A CCEA A-Level Nutrition and Food Science answer on the functional and chemical properties of nutrients in food: protein denaturation, coagulation and foaming, starch gelatinisation and dextrinisation, caramelisation and the Maillard reaction, and how these are used in food preparation.
13 min answer →

What causes obesity, how is it measured, and how can diet and lifestyle manage it?

Obesity and weight management: the causes and measurement of overweight and obesity (BMI and energy imbalance), the health consequences, the role of diet, physical activity and lifestyle, and current research and strategies for prevention and management.
A CCEA A-Level Nutrition and Food Science answer on obesity and weight management: the causes and measurement of obesity (BMI and energy imbalance), its health consequences, the role of diet, activity and lifestyle, and current research and strategies for prevention and management.
12 min answer →

What is type 2 diabetes, how is it linked to diet and obesity, and how can it be prevented or managed?

Type 2 diabetes: the role of insulin and blood glucose control, the link with obesity, free sugars and lifestyle, the symptoms and complications, and the dietary advice for prevention and management including the glycaemic effect of carbohydrates.
A CCEA A-Level Nutrition and Food Science answer on type 2 diabetes: insulin and blood glucose control, the link with obesity, free sugars and lifestyle, the symptoms and complications, and the dietary advice for prevention and management.
12 min answer →