# A doctor is reviewing the diet of a patient who has been eating the same limited range of foods for several months. The patient's diet is very high in fat and sugar but contains very little protein, iron or vitamin C. Explain the effects this unbalanced diet is likely to have on the patient's health.

> OCR A-Level Biology B — Advancing Biology (H422) — 2.3 Diet, nutrition and health · Explain · 5 marks

> The patient's diet consists mainly of processed snacks and sugary drinks. They rarely eat fruit, vegetables, meat or dairy products.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. High fat/sugar intake leads to excess energy intake / more energy taken in than used
2. This can lead to obesity / being overweight
3. Lack of protein means the body cannot build / repair / replace cells and tissues
4. Lack of iron leads to anaemia / insufficient haemoglobin / red blood cells cannot carry enough oxygen
5. Lack of vitamin C leads to scurvy / symptoms such as bleeding gums / poor wound healing

## Key terms

- [unbalanced diet](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/unbalanced-diet)
- [protein](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/protein)
- [iron](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/iron)
- [vitamin C](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/vitamin-c)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR A-Level Biology B — Advancing Biology (H422)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-doctor-is-reviewing-the-diet-b68ac57a) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.