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EnglandPhysical Education

Health, fitness and wellbeing (Component 2)

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What makes a balanced diet, and how does nutrition support performance?

The components of a balanced diet, the role of macronutrients and micronutrients, carbohydrate loading and protein timing, and the calculation of BMI.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE PE on diet and nutrition: a balanced diet, the role of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, water and fibre, carbohydrate loading and protein timing, and how to calculate and interpret BMI.
9 min answer →

Why do hydration and energy balance matter for health and performance?

The importance of hydration and how to maintain it, the factors affecting optimum weight, and the energy balance needed to maintain a healthy weight.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE PE on hydration and energy balance: why hydration matters and how to maintain it, the factors affecting optimum weight, how optimum weight varies by sport, and the energy balance needed to maintain a healthy weight.
8 min answer →

How do lifestyle choices affect health, fitness and wellbeing?

Lifestyle choices in diet, activity level, work/rest/sleep balance and recreational drugs, and their positive and negative effects on health and performance.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE PE on lifestyle choices: the effects of diet, activity level, the work/rest/sleep balance and recreational drugs (alcohol and nicotine) on health, fitness and wellbeing, including the effects of smoking.
8 min answer →

How does physical activity improve physical, emotional and social health?

The physical, emotional and social health benefits of participation in physical activity and sport, and how each benefit is achieved.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE PE on physical, emotional and social wellbeing: the physical, emotional and social health benefits of participation in physical activity and sport, and how each benefit is achieved.
8 min answer →

What are the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle?

A sedentary lifestyle and its consequences (weight, long-term health risks, fitness), and the interpretation of data on trends in physical health issues.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE PE on a sedentary lifestyle: the meaning of sedentary, overweight, overfat and obese, the long-term health risks, the impact on fitness, and the interpretation of data on trends in physical health issues.
8 min answer →