AQA GCSE Biology Biology Paper 1 (Higher), November 2021: Question 3

11 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Determine a person's BMI category from a graph, calculate BMI to three significant figures, describe patterns in life expectancy data, and discuss the economic and health impacts of obesity.

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Question

Question text

03 Body Mass Index (BMI) is a way of finding out if a person’s body mass falls within a

healthy range for their height.

Table 1 shows information about two people.

Table 1

Person Body mass in kg Height in m BMI in kg/m2

A 63 1.65 23.1

B 92 1.71 X

Figure 5 shows five BMI categories for adults.

Figure 5

03.1 Which is the BMI category of person A in Table 1?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Clinically obese

Normal

Obese

Overweight

Underweight

03.2 Calculate value X in Table 1.

Use the equation:

body mass

BMI = 2

height

Give your answer to 3 significant figures.

[3 marks]

10 2

X = kg/m

Scientists think there is a link between BMI and life expectancy.

Table 2 shows information about predicted life expectancy of men after the age of 50.

Table 2

Predicted number of years Predicted number of years

*09* BMI

living in good health after living in bad health after the

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

03.1 normal 1 AO2

4.2.2.5

4.2.2.6

03.2 92 ÷ 1.712 1 AO2

4.2.2.5

31.46(…) allow correctly calculated value 1 4.2.2.6

using 92 ÷ 1.71

31.5 1

03.3 any two from: allow ‘more overweight’ or ‘more 2 AO2

obese’ for higher BMI category 4.2.2.5

throughout 4.2.2.6

• the higher the BMI (category) allow the lower the BMI

the lower the number of years (category) the higher the

living in good health number of years living in good

health

• the higher the BMI (category) allow the lower the BMI

the higher the number of (category) the lower the number

years living in bad health of years living in bad health

• the higher the BMI (category), allow the lower the BMI

the lower total life expectancy (category), the higher total life

expectancy

if no other marks awarded, allow

for 1 mark idea that as BMI

increases, quality of life

decreases

03.4 costs the NHS / UK health 1 AO3

service / Government / hospitals 4.2.2.6

more money

(because need to pay for) allow other correct named 1

additional surgery / medication / conditions e.g. heart attack /

hospital stay to treat stroke / immobility / disability / arthritis

diabetes

more time off work (if in hospital allow more people unable to

/ unwell) (1) work

(so) employer / Government allow (so) decreased

have to give financial support (1) productivity (in workplace)

03.5 allow any one from: 1 AO3 11

• movement issues allow example of movement 4.2.2.6

issue

• loss of job / income

• disability

• mental health impact of lack

of movement

mental health impact of pain

• need to visit the doctor / take

medication regularly

• may need surgery

03.6 type 2 diabetes 1 AO1

4.2.2.4

CVD / CHD allow atherosclerosis 1 4.2.2.6

heart attack / disease

stroke

allow two named vascular

conditions for 2 marks from

heart attack or stroke or high

blood pressure or high (blood)

cholesterol

allow cancer

allow liver disease

Total 11

How to answer it

BMI, Obesity, and Non-Communicable Diseases

What this question tests

This question assesses your ability to interpret clinical chart data, apply the BMI mathematical formula to 3 significant figures, identify trends and patterns from epidemiological tables, and explain the wider financial and health impacts of obesity and high-fat diets on individuals and society (NHS/UK economy).

Question 03.1 • 1 Mark

Reading BMI Categories from a Chart

Determining the weight category for Person A using Figure 5

✅ Correct Answer

Tick: Normal

🧠 Exam Technique

Table 1 states Person A has a mass of 63 kg and a height of 1.65 m (BMI 23.1). Locate 63 kg on the horizontal axis and read up to 1.65 m on the vertical axis. The coordinate falls neatly inside the Normal band.

Mark Scheme: [1 mark] for ticking 'Normal'. Only one box should be ticked.

Question 03.2 • 3 Marks

BMI Calculation with Significant Figures

Calculating value X for Person B: Mass = 92 kg, Height = 1.71 m

📐 Step-by-Step Calculation

1 Recall & Substitute:
BMI = body mass / height²
BMI = 92 / (1.71)² (1 mark for correct substitution)

2 Evaluate the Denominator & Divide:
1.71² = 2.9241
92 / 2.9241 = 31.46267... (1 mark for full calculation)

3 Round to 3 Significant Figures:
Look at the 4th digit: 31.46... rounds up to 31.5 (1 mark)
Answer: X = 31.5 kg/m²

❌ Common Errors

Forgetting to square the height: 92 / 1.71 = 53.8 (scores only 1 calculation mark).
Squaring the whole fraction: (92 / 1.71)² .
Rounding to the wrong number of significant figures (e.g. writing 31 or 31.46 ).

🧠 Examiner Insight

Even if you make an arithmetic slip, writing down 92 ÷ 1.71² secures the method mark. Always show your working before rounding!

Mark Scheme: 92 ÷ 1.71² (1) • 31.46(...) (1) • 31.5 (1)

Question 03.3 • 2 Marks

Describing Patterns from Tabular Data

Effects of BMI Category on years in good vs bad health after age 50

✅ Any Two Correct Patterns

Pattern 1: The higher the BMI category, the fewer years spent living in good health (decreases from 19.06 to 13.07 years).
Pattern 2: The higher the BMI category, the more years spent living in bad health (increases from 4.98 to 10.10 years).
Alternative: The higher the BMI category, the lower the total life expectancy.

❌ Common Mistakes

Quoting isolated figures without stating a comparative trend or relationship.
Writing "healthy" instead of referring to the table headings: "years living in good/bad health".
Missing comparative terms like "higher/lower" or "increases/decreases".

Mark Scheme: 1 mark per valid pattern clearly linking BMI category with the trend.

Question 03.4 • 2 Marks

Financial Impact on the UK Economy

Explaining how rising obesity affects public and economic finances

💡 Route 1: NHS / Healthcare Costs

Point 1: Costs the NHS / government / hospitals more money.

Point 2 (Reason): To pay for additional medications, surgeries, and extended hospital stays to treat obesity-related conditions (e.g. stroke, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease).

💡 Route 2: Productivity & Employment

Point 1: More people are unable to work or take more time off sick.

Point 2 (Reason): Causes loss of workplace productivity, and the government/employers have to pay more in sick pay or financial disability benefits.

🧠 Exam Technique: "Explain" Means Cause & Effect

A simple statement like "it costs money" will only get 1 mark. You must explicitly explain why it costs money (e.g. costs NHS money because of surgical treatments/medications for diabetes).

Mark Scheme: 1 mark for identifying the financial burden + 1 mark for linking it to healthcare treatment costs or reduced work productivity/benefits.

Question 03.5 • 1 Mark

Lifestyle Impact of Joint Conditions

Suggesting how arthritis affects daily life

✅ Acceptable Suggestions (Choose One)

Mobility/Movement: Difficulty walking, exercising, or carrying out daily tasks due to joint stiffness/pain.
Work & Income: Loss of job, inability to do manual work, or reduced income.
Medical Needs: Frequent GP visits, requirement for pain medication, or needing joint replacement surgery.
Mental Well-being: Negative mental health impact or depression resulting from chronic pain or immobility.

🧠 Exam Tip

The prompt specifically states that arthritis "damages joints". Think practically about what joints do: movement! Any realistic everyday restriction scores the mark.

Mark Scheme: [1 mark] for any plausible impact on mobility, employment, medical intervention, or lifestyle independence.

Question 03.6 • 2 Marks

Dietary Risk Factors: High Saturated Fat

Naming two health conditions linked to a high-fat diet (excluding arthritis)

✅ Correct Health Conditions (Name Any Two)

Type 2 diabetes (must specify Type 2)
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) / Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
Heart attack
Stroke
Atherosclerosis (narrowing of arteries with fatty plaques)
High blood pressure / hypertension
Liver disease (fatty liver)

❌ Pitfalls to Avoid

Writing just "diabetes" without specifying Type 2.
Mentioning arthritis (explicitly forbidden in the question stem).
Vague terms like "heart problems" instead of heart attack or cardiovascular disease.

Mark Scheme: 1 mark per valid condition. Max 2 marks.

Topics

Biology · B2: Organisation

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Biology examination, Biology Paper 1 (Higher), November 2021. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.