§-Nutrition Q&A
SA · SACE Board← Nutrition
Nutrition Q&A by dot point
A short Q&A bank for every SA Nutrition syllabus dot point. Each question and answer is drawn directly from our worked dot-point page, so you can scan key concepts before opening the long-form answer.
Topic 1: Principles of Human Nutrition
Describe the structure and function of the digestive system and explain how macronutrients are digested and absorbed
Explain basal metabolic rate and total energy expenditure, and the factors that affect a person's daily energy requirements
Explain the role of digestive enzymes in the chemical breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, including the conditions that affect enzyme activity
Describe the gut microbiome and explain how diet shapes it and how it influences digestion, immunity and health
Describe the structure, food sources and functions of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, and explain how each contributes to the body's energy balance
Explain the causes and consequences of malabsorption syndromes and food intolerances, including lactose intolerance and coeliac disease
Describe the functions, food sources and deficiency effects of key vitamins and minerals, and explain the role of water in the body
Explain how nutritional requirements change through the life cycle, including pregnancy, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and older age
Topic 2: Diet and Health
Explain the development of cardiovascular disease and the dietary factors that increase or reduce its risk
Explain the links between diet and the major diet-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers
Describe the Australian Dietary Guidelines and food selection models and explain how they support a healthy, balanced diet
Interpret food labels, including the Nutrition Information Panel, ingredient lists, claims and the Health Star Rating, to evaluate food choices
Explain the development of overweight, obesity and type 2 diabetes and the dietary and lifestyle factors involved
Topic 3: Food Selection and Society
Analyse how food marketing, advertising and the media influence food choice, including the marketing of foods to children
Examine global nutrition issues, including undernutrition, the double burden of malnutrition and the social and economic factors behind them
Examine Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander food practices and the factors affecting the nutrition and health of Indigenous communities
Explain the range of factors that influence food choice, including cultural, social, economic, psychological and environmental influences
Topic 4: Food Production and Sustainability
Describe methods of food processing and preservation and evaluate the impact of food technologies on nutrition, safety and the food supply
Explain how methods of food production and distribution affect the quantity, quality and availability of food
Explain how food spoils and how preservation methods and safe food handling protect food quality and prevent foodborne illness
Explain the concepts of food security and food sustainability and evaluate factors that affect the supply of safe, nutritious food
Evaluate genetically modified foods and emerging food technologies, including their potential benefits, risks and ethical issues