Which health conditions are linked to diet, and how can diet help prevent them?
Diet-related conditions, including obesity, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, anaemia, dental caries and bone health (osteoporosis), their links to diet, and dietary ways to reduce the risk.
A focused CCEA GCSE Food and Nutrition answer on diet-related conditions, covering obesity, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, anaemia, dental caries and osteoporosis, their links to diet, and how diet can reduce the risk.
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What this dot point is asking
CCEA wants you to know the main diet-related conditions (obesity, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, anaemia, dental caries and bone health/osteoporosis), how each is linked to diet, and how changing the diet can reduce the risk.
What "diet-related" means
The main conditions
| Condition | Dietary link | How to reduce the risk |
|---|---|---|
| Obesity | Energy intake greater than output | Cut fat and sugar, control portions, stay active |
| Coronary heart disease | Saturated fat raises cholesterol; salt raises blood pressure | Less saturated fat and salt; more fibre, fruit, oily fish |
| Type 2 diabetes | High sugar, high energy, obesity | Lose weight, cut free sugar, eat wholegrains |
| Anaemia | Too little iron | More iron-rich foods plus vitamin C |
| Dental caries | Free sugars feed acid-producing bacteria | Less and less frequent free sugar |
| Osteoporosis | Too little calcium and vitamin D | More calcium and vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise |
Obesity as the gateway
Obesity matters most because it raises the risk of the others. It is caused by long-term positive energy balance (more energy in than out), and reducing it lowers the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and joint problems.
Linking to the rest of the course
This topic shows what goes wrong when needs are not met. It applies directly to dietary guidelines (the advice that prevents these conditions) and to dietary needs through life (groups most at risk, such as the elderly for osteoporosis).
Examples in context
- Example 1. Salt, blood pressure and the heart
- A diet high in salt raises blood pressure, which damages arteries and raises the risk of heart disease and stroke. Following the 6 g salt target and checking labels lowers the risk. This links a single nutrient to a major condition.
- Example 2. Preventing anaemia in a teenage girl
- A girl with heavy periods who eats little iron may become anaemic, feeling tired and pale. Eating more iron-rich foods with a vitamin C source raises her iron levels. This connects a mineral deficiency to a real at-risk group and a dietary fix.
- Example 3. Protecting bones for life
- Building strong bones with calcium and vitamin D in youth, and keeping calcium intake up in later life, reduces the risk of osteoporosis and fractures in old age. This shows a condition prevented by good diet across the whole life course.
Try this
Q1. Name the diet-related condition caused by a lack of iron. [1 mark]
- Cue. Anaemia.
Q2. Explain one dietary change that reduces the risk of coronary heart disease. [2 marks]
- Cue. Cut down on saturated fat (to lower cholesterol) or cut salt (to lower blood pressure); more fibre and oily fish also accepted.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of CCEA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
CCEA past-style6 marksExplain the link between diet and coronary heart disease, and describe how a person could change their diet to reduce the risk.Show worked answer →
Six marks: the link, then the dietary changes.
A diet high in saturated fat raises LDL cholesterol, which builds up on the walls of the arteries (atherosclerosis), narrowing them. This reduces blood flow to the heart and raises the risk of coronary heart disease, angina and heart attack. Too much salt raises blood pressure, adding to the risk, and being overweight makes the heart work harder.
To reduce the risk: cut down on saturated fat and swap it for unsaturated fat; eat more fruit, vegetables and fibre; eat oily fish; cut down on salt; reduce sugar and energy to reach a healthy weight; and stay active.
Markers reward a clear cholesterol-to-artery link and at least three sensible dietary changes.
CCEA past-style4 marksExplain how diet is linked to type 2 diabetes and to dental caries.Show worked answer →
Four marks: two for each condition.
Type 2 diabetes: a diet high in sugar and energy, leading to overweight and obesity, raises the risk because the body becomes less able to control blood glucose. Losing weight and cutting free sugar reduce the risk.
Dental caries (tooth decay): bacteria in the mouth feed on free sugars and produce acid that attacks tooth enamel, causing decay. Frequent sugary snacks and drinks make it worse; cutting down on free sugars and the frequency of sugary foods protects the teeth.
Markers reward a correct cause and a way to reduce the risk for each condition.
Related dot points
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