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Science project idea on what is the right amount of food.
Calculating the Right Amount of Food- Science Project Idea
What is the proper amount of food?We know from experience that the amount of food needed is not the same for all persons, and not even the same for one person under all circumstances.Fortunately, if we are in good health the appetite is a fair guide, although if it is disregarded and abused it soon becomes unreliable.Eating between meals, eating highly flavored food, etc., destroys the keenness of the appetite and either under eating or overeating may result.It is necessary therefore, to know what the body needs under certain conditions so that the appetite may not lead us astray.
Your own experiences will indicate to you some of the conditions that determine the amount of food needed by the body as indicated by the appetite.Do you eat more food when you have been spending the day reading or when you have been playing outdoors or doing some active work?Why do you think this should be true?Do you eat more food in summer or in winter?Explain the reason for this.In both of these cases should the increase be in energy- producing food or in food used for growth and repair?Suggest how you think the diet should be modified at such times?
Experiments have shown that there is no need for any increase of protein, or building material, in the diet at times when the body is exerting more energy than usual, but that the increase in the amount of food should be by additions of fats or carbohydrates.
Growing children, of course, should have a slightly higher percentage of protein in their food than adults.Explain.This is well illustrated by the fact that milk, which should always be an important part of the food of children and which in the earliest years constitutes either all or a very large part of their diet, has a higher percentage of protein than is demanded by people who are no longer growing.
Another condition which will affect the amount of food needed is the size of the body.Other conditions being the same, a small person needs somewhat less food than a larger person.It has been calculated that the number of calories which should be supplied by the food when light work is being done may be determined by multiplying the weight of the body by 16.1. Thus a person weighing 160 pounds will need sufficient food to furnish 2576 calories.Of course, if more active muscular work is being performed, food producing a greater number of calories is needed.A man doing moderately active work needs about 3000 calories; a farmer during the busy season, as much as 4000 calories; and lumbermen, from 5000 to 9000 calories.
The proper amount of protein in the diet has been a much discussed question.This is of great importance, since an excess of protein in the diet is harmful to the body.The tendency of the American people is to eat rather more protein than is absolutely necessary, and therefore in most cases the diet would be improved by cutting down the foods rich in protein; for example, meats.About two and one half ounces or from 70 to 80 grams of protein a day seem to be sufficient, according to experiments.It will be found, how- ever, that our actual diet is.Likely to have nearly three and one half or four ounces or about 100 grams of protein.
Science Project Idea Pick two people that you know that have a huge difference in age.Ask them to each write down what they eat and schedule, including daily exercise and activities for a week. With this data, calculate the calories that they eat and burn and relate them back to their age, sex, height and weight.
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