A physical education teacher should discuss the glycemic index of foods with students to help them understand factors can contribute to the development of primarily which medical condition?

• A. Type 2 diabetes
• B. Type 1 diabetes
• C. Hypertension
• D. Anemia

Answer: (A)

Understanding how the glycemic index affects blood sugar helps students see how carbohydrate choices influence energy and insulin demand. The glycemic index measures how quickly a carbohydrate-containing food raises blood glucose after consumption. High GI foods produce rapid glucose spikes and large insulin responses; over time, this pattern can contribute to weight gain and insulin resistance, which are central to type 2 diabetes. Therefore, discussing GI with students highlights how diet can influence the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is autoimmune and not primarily driven by diet or glucose spikes. Hypertension and anemia are influenced by other factors and don't hinge on the glycemic response in the same way.