Reshma had trouble seeing things in dim light. The doctor tested her eyesight and prescribed a particular vitamin supplement. He also advised her to include a few food items in her diet. (i) Which deficiency disease is she suffering from? (ii) Which food component may be lacking in her diet? (iii) Suggest some food items that she should include in her diet to overcome this problem (any four).
Reshma is suffering from night blindness (poor vision in darkness).
Vitamin A is lacking in her diet.
She should include papaya, carrot, mango, and milk in her diet. These are rich sources of Vitamin A.
Explanation
(i) According to Figure 3.5 in the chapter, difficulty seeing in dim light or darkness is a symptom of night blindness, which is caused by Vitamin A deficiency. The chart shows 'poor vision, loss of vision in darkness (night blindness)' as symptoms of Vitamin A deficiency. (ii) The chapter's Figure 3.5 clearly shows that night blindness and poor vision in darkness are caused by deficiency of Vitamin A. The doctor prescribed a vitamin supplement, which would be Vitamin A in this case. (iii) Figure 3.5 and Figure 3.6(a) in the chapter list the sources of Vitamin A as papaya, carrot, mango, and milk. Including these food items regularly will help overcome Vitamin A deficiency and improve vision in dim light.