gcse edexel health and social care

Genetic inheritance...The body contains two sets of twenty three chromosomes, one set from each parent. Each chromosome can contain up to four thousand different genes. A person's genes are responsible for the illnesses and diseases that they develop during their lifetime. This is because risk of getting conditions like heart disease cancers and strokes can be inherited. You can also get ill due to life style choice.

Illness and disease...Many illnesses we experience are short term. However, some can have serious consequences. Genetic diseases, such as haemophilia, down's syndrome and cystic fibrosis impact a persons growth and development. It can affect other aspects of development, not just physical, but a person's social relationships, emotional distress and destroy their intellectual abilities.

Diet...Depending on what we eat our body’s will be different. Sugary and fatty foods can lead to becoming obese and overweight. this can harm a child's physical development and reduce opportunities for exercise. A child being obese can lead to social and emotional problems. Being teased or bullied for being 'fat' may have a negative effect on a child's self-esteem. They may also have negative self-image that also inhibits their self-confidence.

The onset of puberty during adolescence results in a physical growth spurt that has to be fuelled by a diet of regular, balanced meals. However, at the same time people (especially girls) become more conscious of how they look and don't eat properly. In some instances this can result in the development of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. These conditions tend to develop in response to the fear of being called fat. This can cause long term physical damage.

For adults their dietary needs will depend on how much…