Download Biology pbl Problem

Biology Problem-based Learning
By: Chun Fai and Weijie
Target Students

Athletes/ Sportsmen
Their dietary needs:

Athletes in Hwa Chong are usually very busy with extracurricular activities in school.
Calcium, proteins, carbohydrates and fats are especially important in their diet.
Athletes may need an increased caloric intake to provide you with energy for extra
physical activity.

Good nutrition is especially important for those who participate in vigorous physical
activities :(1) it helps us to achieve our maximum performance. (2) It helps us to
develop good eating habits for later life.

Calcium: Dairy foods, low fat milk, yogurt, and cheese, are important sources of
calcium. Calcium is necessary for proper muscle function.

Proteins: Proteins are also required to produce hormones that help to co-ordinate
certain bodily activities. Structural proteins like Collagens provide support for
connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments, which can be injured easily. Can
be found in meat, seafood, farm products, and fish.

Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are easily broken down to glucose in your body and
used for energy or they are converted to glycogen and stored for later use. An athlete
requires a lot of energy to keep the body going. Sources of carbohydrates: rice,
wheat, grain food, potato, tapioca, corn.

Fats: Fats are used as energy during prolonged exercise. However, fats should not
be taken in large amounts as it causes many health problems like obesity and heart
diseases. Sources of Fats: Butter, Lard, Marine oil, Margarine, Cooking oil, Salad oil.
Stall Analysis: The western food stall
1) Chicken Chop
Protein is the secondary source of energy and athletic activity does not greatly increase
protein intake. This meal provides a lot of protein. These proteins can be used to synthesize
protoplasm for growth and repair of body cells, enzymes and some types of hormones. Most
importantly, it is used for the formation of antibiotics to combat diseases.
However, excessive protein can hinder athletic performance. After they are broken down,
toxic waste by-products are produced. This meal also contains much fat. Excessive fats
would result in obesity.
2) Fish cutlet
This meal also provides a lot of protein, fats and also a high level of cholesterol. Frequently
eating high cholesterol foods would result in arteriosclerosis, a narrowing of the arteries by
deposits of plaque. This causes the heart to pump the blood harder and the blood pressure
to rise. High blood pressure also poses many health risks like stroke or kidney failure. On the
other hand, this meal has a high amount of iron. Iron can use to manufacture certain
enzymes which are involved in cellular respiration and also form hemoglobin.

Are these meals suitable for this group of students?
I think these meals are not very suitable for this group of students due to their high fat
content and cholesterol levels.
These substances would lead to chronic illnesses in the future if eaten in excess.
However, these meals are good sources for providing iron and protein. Since these
groups of students are involved in sports, they are physically active and would burn
fats easily during vigorous training. In all, we think these meals providing in the
canteen could be improved.
New and Improved!
 As you all know currently the dishes in the Western Food stall comes with a side item
(Crabstick/ Sausage).
 1) We would keep the main item (chicken chop/fish cutlet) the same as these are
what that attracts the students.
 2) We would replace the side item with Salad and Broccoli
 Green vegetables like broccoli which provides vitamin C. If your diet is low in
vitamin C, you might develop joints that swell and hurt, weak muscles,
internal bleeding, and defects in your bones.
 3) We would also add in fruits that would make the dish healthier. The fruits would be
change daily to provide a wide variety of fruits.
Apple - It improves the functions of kidneys and eases kidney activities.
Apple is also good for digestion problems.
Orange-It helps to whooping cough, flu and heart diseases. It protects and
decreases the risk of paralysis.
 Cost: The cost would be around the same and affordable as we are just replacing
the items.
Comparison
 The original dish consists of fish cutlet and the chicken chop only (mainly meat) but
OUR meal provides meat with vegetables and also fruits.
 Basically, our meal contains more vitamin C, iron and dietary fibre.
 Compared to the original meal, our meal is much healthier and much more balanced.
 This can be seen from the food pyramid whereby fats, oil, salts and meat are
required in smaller amounts compared to vegetables, fruits and carbohydrates.