Question 5
Read the following statements about diseases.
(i) They are caused by germs.
(ii) They are caused due to the lack of nutrients in our diet.
(iii) They can be passed on to another person through contact.
(iv) They can be prevented by taking a balanced diet.
Which pair of statements best describes a deficiency disease?
(a) (i) and (ii) .
(b) (ii) and (iii)
(c) (ii) and (iv)
(d) (i) and (iii)
The answer is option (c).
Deficiency disease is a disease which arises due to the lack of nutrients in our diet over a long period of time, e.g. scurvy, rickets, beriberi, anaemia and goitre.
To prevent these diseases, it is essential to have a balanced diet. It is a diet, which contains adequate amounts of all the nutrients as well as sufficient quantity of water and roughage.