Question

Boojho was having difficulty in seeing things in dim light. The doctor tested his eyesight and prescribed a particular vitamin supplement. He also advised him to include a few food items in his diet. (a) Which deficiency disease is he suffering from? (b) Which food component may be lacking in his diet? (c) Suggest some food items that he should include in his diet, (any four)

Answer 1

(a) The deficiency he is suffering from:

1. Boojho is suffering from night blindness which results in difficulty in seeing things in dim light.
2. Nyctalopia is another name for a form of vision impairment known as night blindness
3. People with night blindness have impaired nighttime or low-light vision.
4. Deficiency of vitamin A in the diet causes night blindness.
5. Vitamin A deficiency affects the production of rhodopsin pigment which is essential for night vision.

(b) Food Component lacking in his diet is :

1. Although our bodies only require very little amounts of minerals and vitamins compared to other nutrients, they are nonetheless crucial to a balanced diet.
2. Vitamin A deficiency leads to night blindness.
3. Consequently, his diet may be deficient in vitamin A.
4. Vitamin A is also known as retinol because it helps in the production of the various pigments in the retina of the eyes.
5. It produces good eyesight.

(c) Food items that can be included in his diet are :

1. The doctor examined his eyes and prescribed a vitamin A supplement.
2. He suggested adding a few food items to his diet that will give him vitamin A.
3. Foods like carrot, papaya, mango, milk, and fish oil are very good sources of vitamin A.