Introduction to Nutrition, Case Study Example

 Questions:

Calculate Sadie’s body mass index (BMI) based on pre-pregnancy weight

Based on her pr-epregnancy weight and height, she has a BMI of 27.4 which means that she is supposed to be at least 187.17 pounds at her 20^th week of pregnancy. Given that she is currently at 195 pounds, she is considered to be overweight at 7.83 pounds in connection with her pregnancy development rate.

Based on the information on table 15-1, what is the recommended weight gain for her pregnancy that would be most helpful?

Still in connection with her pre-pregnancy weight and her height, she is supposed to have at least 1.51 percent of gain which is way off her current situation.

Using figure 15-7, evaluate Saddie’s weight gain at this point for her pregnancy compared to a normal range.

If the ideal weight gain is considered, Saddie could be noted to have at least 1.53 gain, resulting to weighing at least 195 pounds, which should actually occur during her 30^th t0 31^st week of pregnancy.

What medical complications of pregnancy are associated with being overweight or obese?

To note, there are complications both for the mother and the baby during pregnancy when the issue of obesity is considered. For instance, high blood pressure and preeclampsia during the 20^th towards the 25^th weeks could occur. This is basically because of the incapability of the blood pressure to remain stable which is further contributed by the mother’s being overweight. Some others who have lesser control of the matter end up giving preterm birth.

During the actual delivery, it is most common that mothers who are overweight give birth to really big babies also termed as large-for-gestational age infants which often results to delivery through c-section operation.

While majority of the babies that are born from overweight mothers are healthy, there are those that still undergo particular complications such as shoulder dystocia which is the dislocation or injury of shoulders due to hard delivery because of the infant being larger than expected. Worst case scenario may even include NTDS or neural tube defects which could involve brain and spine problems.

How would you reassure Sadie about the safety of water exercises during pregnancy? What precautions would you give her about exercise?

While others say that water exercise might be dangerous and strenuous to a pregnant mother, health expects define the said exercise to be about the best relaxing physical activity that any pregnant woman could get. With back aches happening all the time for pregnant women, the water pressure lifts up such weight and allows the pregnant woman to just swerve through the water. There is a considerable lowering of weight rate when one swims. During pregnancy, water exercises often result of 50% to 80% stress relief for bone and muscle tension. While it does so much for the baby to feel more relaxed as gravity is reduced, a pregnant woman’s heart is worked out at a much considerable rate that is just suitable for her.

When it comes to precautionary measures, strenuous activities should be avoided; ones that require too many fast and rigorous physical movements. While water exercise is recommended, it should be handled within a relaxed mode and controlled time-span application.

What are some strategies that would help alleviate Sadie’s constipation as well as improve her nutritional status during this pregnancy?

Considering that constipation is a regular or common part of normal pregnancies, it is then rather normal to expect someone with Sadie’s case of obesity to experience a rather much pressing issue on the matter. Nevertheless, there are remedies that can be taken into consideration. Nutritional intake is of course one of the primary procedures to be taken seriously. Increasing water intake would basically ease the flow of food into a pregnant woman’s body and aid in faster and smoother digestion. With the pressure on the digestive system coming from the growing child in the uterus, fiber that comes from fruits and vegetables eases out so much tension from the process hence increase regular bowel movements. Exercise and regular smooth movements could also help in the process of aiding the body to function better resulting to better bowel movement.

With the current food choices she takes in at present such as bread, potato chips and pasta, the constipation would only be aggravated. Adjustments should be made, but they should not be abrupt. Gradual intake of the suggested food choices could be done bit-by-bit every now and then and increased gradually all throughout the remaining weeks of her pregnancy.

Would you consider Sadie as a high-risk pregnancy? On what factors do you base your decision?

While the report of Sadie’s health condition suggests that she is overweight, it could still be considered a non-high risk pregnancy due to the fact that she is still at her 20^th week and can still have a readjusted weight gain. Through adjustment of food intake and nutrition choices as well as the increase of body-movement through exercising, her weight gain could still be controlled until the time of her delivery.

Details:

Questions:

How may the recent death of his wife affect Roy’s nutritional status? What are some ways his friends and family help him through this time?

Most often than not, men in Roy’s age enjoy sharing a meal with their mate, especially if their mate is the one who prepares the food. The satisfaction coming from such a bond increases the enjoyment of eating. Upon the loss of his wife, such satisfaction may have been lost, causing him to lose interest in eating as a whole. Relatively, the fondness he once had for food has now become a mere requirement he feels he needs to follow. Relatively, the feeling of hunger is the only reason why he eats now.

Increasing interest in food would specifically provide better ways of resolving this issue. Friends and family could help in this matter through providing time and affection for Roy as they try to prepare his meals and eat with him every now and again. Scheduling a visiting task for each member of the family would best resolve the problem on eating habits of the patient.

According to table 17-5 what risk factors for malnutrition does Roy exhibit?

In accordance with the supposed regular intake of an 80 year old man and above, Roy lacks so much on protein as well as vitamins and minerals. While he has a relatively normal intake of carbohydrates, it is still not enough to support the need to support the function of his muscles and bones as they begin to slow down in regenerating.

Explain how Roy’s change in habits increase his risk for sarcopenia. How does this impact his physical safety and self-sufficiency?

Due to body-inactivity and lowered nutritional value intake, the body of Roy degenerates faster than expected. AS a result to this, sarcopenia or frailty syndrome could result from such issues. The decrease of size of muscle in an aged-body is often caused by lack of exercise and wrong intake of food. This could further result to clumsiness and even the weakened function of the brain causing the sufferer [in this case, Roy] to be more prone to accidents.

Describe one or two strategies that his family may use to help Roy maintain a normal weight and improve his nutritional status when he doesn’t feel like preparing meals.

Preparing meals for the patient is highly recommended. Giving time and attention for this matter would mean so much for the aged man and would provide him the enthusiasm he lose when his wife died. Helping him realize that he is not alone by simply sitting down and eating along with him is a great source of solution for the issue. Understandably, the health case of Roy could be further improved if the family and friends would approach the issue in a psychologically balanced approach therefore conditioning the mind of Roy to regain interest in food and exercise and basically living life again.

Refer to figure 17-3 and describe which components of Modified MyPyramid for adults are lacking in Roy’s current lifestyle.

In relation to the modification of the nutritional intake of older individuals, the USDA Dietary guideline insists on 5-10 ounces of grain daily intake, 2-3 ½ cups of vegetables; milk, yogurt and cheese of at least 1-2 cups; fruits of at least 1-2 ½ cups per day; meat, poultry, fish and/or dry beans of at least ¼-1/2 ounce daily.

Considering this fact note, it could be realized that Roy is much lacking on his vegetables, fruits and protein intake as recommended in a daily schedule. Increasing intake of the said food groups could provide him better chances of regaining both his weight and his strength.

Suggest ways to improve Roy’s current diet with essential nutrients that are currently lacking including nutritional supplementation if needed.

Increase of fruit and vegetable intake is highly recommended. This could be done through providing Roy with precut or pre-fixed fruit choices and vegetable salads that would be much easier to eat especially during the lazy parts of the day. They do not need to be the main course, but slow and gradual intake of these food groups could best help in regaining the healthful vigor that Roy once had.

Details:

Questions:

Explain to Theresa the benefit of well-trained muscles on body composition and weight control

Girls within Theresa’s age [teen years] do have fast metabolism process. Nevertheless, such process should not be considered to be a continuous system until one grows older. Hence, it is just reasonable to point out that whatever one contains in her system at present would later on present its consequences later. Relatively, girls at 17 of age ought to have fit and well-trained muscles especially that their bodies are undergoing developmental transformations. Healthy muscles would provide a more constructive contribution to how the body consumes the food nutrients and specifically function to make each food a good source of usable energy and not simply that of stagnant sugar.

Explain to Theresa the basic components of a balanced fitness program and the necessity of each component

Ideally, a balanced fitness program should include three primary components. One is the aerobic exercise, muscular strength exercise and flexibility practices. The aerobic exercises specifically provide cardiovascular strength. The muscular strength conditioning exercises are designed to define the muscuskeletal system through increasing progressive heavy workloads during the whole program. With this exercise, it is not only the muscles that are strengthened but also that of the bones and the connective tissues. Lastly, the flexibility exercises are designed to increase joint and tendon integrity especially when the patient or the individual is at motion. Most likely, stretching is the first form of flexibility exercise that is required from patients undergoing a particular fitness program. From this point, it could be realized that having all the three components in a singular fitness program allows one to enhance all the vital parts and functions of the body’s systems.

Plan a balanced fitness program for Theresa based on guidelines presented in Table 14-2

For a seventeen year old teenager, it is essential to do regular exercise for at least 25 minutes each day. This would allow the young woman to develop a regular heart rate that her body needs to function in a much healthier manner. The pressure of the exercises could go from normal to gradually increasing in speed. It should also include strength training which would involve an overall conditioning of the body. Depending on the capacity of the trainee, the practices could start from low rate weight to higher up until the limit strength of the individual. Nevertheless, there is always a consideration placed upon the need to control the ideals of the training so as not to go over the required span of time and bodily development needed.

Since Theresa enjoys hanging out with her family and at times on her own, she could specifically gain a valuable worth of training from a family-based activity of at least brisk walking and soft running in the park.

Notably, as she used to be a part of the girls’ soccer team, she was already used to strenuous activities in the past. Gradually redefining her current situation back to that of her past practices could provide a great impact on how she is to take better healthy practices at present. Of course, healthy diet along with regular exercise is an essential part of the program. Changing her diet from 1600 kcal per day to at least 1800 calorie per day intake mostly coming from protein rich food would better place her in a better position of handling her growth and development requirements.

Considering her goal to lose-weight, what type of exercise for Theresa would be most conducive to fat loss? Give examples

As noted, no exercise should be as pressuring as it is assumed to be, as making it pressuring would make it less interesting to the one undergoing a particular fitness program. Instead of making it a dreadful process of losing weight, especially for Theresa, it is important to note that her desire to be with family and the importance she gives to solitude should be given consideration. Hence, group based activities involving physical exercises with the family would do, so long as the exercise is done regularly.

Based on a 1600 kcal diet, calculate how many kcal from carbohydrates, fat and protein are provided in a diet that derives 60% calories from carbohydrate, 25% from fat and 15% from protein. Calculate the daily grams for each of these nutrients for Theresa to consume.

Theresa currently consumes 960 grams carbohydrate, 400 grams fat, 240 grams protein. Observing from this data, the fitness program to be suggested for Theresa to take should increase protein intake, lessen carbohydrate intake to lessen fat build up which usually causes weight gain among young girls her age.

Assuming Theresa will begin her exercise program this week, what advice for food intake do you recommend [including type and amount].

Increasing protein intake for Theresa is a vital part of the new fitness program involves the increase of providing her choices of lean meat, fish, nuts as well as seeds. Salmon fish servings could provide high calorie rate which is as high as to what a porterhouse steak could give.

Lowering carbohydrate intake to lower down the fat build up in her system is also essential which means that a concentration on the increase of food intake which easily processes fat soluble vitamins that include A, E, D and K. This should be carefully observed through taking in low-fat dairy products and lean meets instead of processed snacks that are most often than not the most popular type of food for teenagers today. Instead of getting ‘bad fat’ causing excessive weight gain, grain kernels, cereals and whole grain breads should be given consideration. These food groups ought to be considered in a balanced manner hence making sure that the ratio that protein has with the carbohydrates stays at 2 is to 1.

Details:

 Based on her history, what nutrient deficiencies would you suspect may contribute to Belinda’s symptoms? Explain your answer.

Increased intake of milk and dairy products specifically contribute to Belinda’s weight gain. Relatively, replacing lean meat and beans for protein with toast and chips has created a great source of weight problem for the patient. This is because of the fact that with lowered protein intake, the patient is likely to feel less energetic; a fair to almost none intake of fruits and vegetables further causes problems to contribute to the situation of the young girl.

What stage of iron deficiency do the results of her laboratory test indicate?

Considering the case of Belinda, she is currently at a stage 1 iron deficiency situation. This means that there is currently a depletion of the iron stores in her body hence resulting to low iron binding capacity and low serum ferreting concentration causing her metabolism to slow down and her weight gain to actually spur out rapidly.

What are some meal planning changes that Belinda’s mother could make to improve Belinda’s intake of iron and zinc?

Based on the background situation that binds Belinda’s case, it could be realized that she takes in the food groups she usually eats from because of lesser availability of choices. It could be noted how she mentioned that she does eat vegetables, but only when her mother buys and prepares them. Relatively, her mother is then seen to have a great role in turning Belinda’s health situation around through offering her a variety of sources for zinc and iron mainly that of red meat and other sources like vegetables [spinach which gives out 1.37 mg of zinc and pumpkin seeds which gives about 1.6 mg of zinc per ¼ cup of serving] as well as fruits.

What are some lunch and snack ideas that would improve Belinda’s intake of essential elements mentioned in this chapter?

For lunch and snacks, fruits and vegetables that are prepared in a salad form would best fit her lifestyle especially considering her practically busy schedule due to her being a part of the debating team. Mixing in ample amount of red meat within each serving could help in the increase of energy development that Belinda currently needs at her age.

If her doctor prescribes an iron supplement, what practical advice would you give Belinda about when and how to take it?

Increasing iron intake in the morning for the promotion of better nutrition distribution in the body throughout the day is a great source of strength for the young girl.

What cautions would you give Belinda’s mother regarding excessive supplementation of iron?

Although iron supplements are considered to be safe and controllable, an overdose of the said supplement could also cause certain problems that are practically irritating to the patient being assisted for better health development. The body’s adjustment to the supplement during the first few days of intake may cause rashes and abdominal pains although such symptoms are expected to go away within a few days of continuous intake. Nevertheless, caution should always be given attention to and strictly following the prescription of the doctor is essential to the matter.

Details:

 Questions:

Calculate Ryan’s BMI and evaluate his weight status using information figure 16-10.

BMI of Ryan is between 18.5 to 24.9

Given this, he is currently at 27.22 kilograms [which is equated to 60 pounds] defining that he is actually overweight concerning his height and his age.

From information in this chapter, what are some factors that may contribute to Ryan’s excess weight gain?

Aside from the increased intake of carbohydrates being turned into unused energy which is reserved fat, it could be realized that his regular daily schedule places him in a position of developing obesity due to bodily inactivity.

Considering his age, what would be an initial goal to manage Ryan’s weight?

The initial goal in this case is to increase physical activity that is included in Ryan’s schedule. For boys at the age of 10, it is essential for them to burn out the excess energy they have in their body in a form of regular body exercise. Along with this, a change in his dietary allowance should be considered hence increasing the breakdown of nutrients in his body as aided by faster metabolism process.

Using recommendations in table 16-7 what practice advice could you give Ryan and his parents that they could incorporate into their current lifestyle?

Given that the family members of Ryan are busy individuals, the evening is most likely the time when they all get together or at least the early morning schedule. In line with this, it is important to note that the support of his parents would help Ryan so much to enjoy a physical activity. An in-house exercise in the evening could best help turn around the situation in this case. In the early morning, swift walking could help as the parents tread along with Ryan to school or just to have a separate activity that would provide them to spend time with each other while working out the physical activities of their son. Each of these exercises could last for at least 20 minutes at the shortest span and could affect the change in Ryan’s health in a gradual but most successful manner.

Based on his usual intake, identify at least 2-3 nutrients likely deficient in Ryan’s diet. What major food groups provide these nutrients?

Based on his age, Ryan should at least receive 6-9 servings of carbohydrate rich foods, 3 servings of vegetables for vitamins and minerals and at least 1 serving of fruits which to provide him good source of both protein and iron. Increased meat intake is also suggested especially including red meat for better energy-boosting substances in his body. Plenty of fats and oils are already coming from cheese, eggs, peanut butter and other dairy products that are most likely included in Ryan’s current diet. Hence, what needs to be increased is his intake of meat, vegetables and fruits which have more concentrated vitamins, minerals and protein that a young boy needs to support his developing body.

Using guidelines from table 16-4, plan a daily menu for Ryan that includes three meals and 2 snacks that would provide at least 1400 kcal per day.

Breakfast: ½ cup cooked vegetables and 1 medium bread roll

Break: 1 1/3 cup of breakfast cereal flakes

Lunch: 1 cup of salad vegetables and 1 small potato

Break: 1 cup of diced fruit pieces

Dinner: 100 grams cooked meat or chicken and 1 medium bread roll

Details:

Questions:

What signs of dehydration does Michael exhibit?

After sweating profusely, Michael felt soberly tired exhibiting that he did lost a remarkable amount of water in his body. The increased feeling of exhaustion specifically notes his dehydration causing him to lose strength even though he is a relatively athletic young man.

Based on these signs of dehydration, what percentage of body fluid would you estimate Michael has lost?

Considering the symptoms of Michael and the rigorous training he is undergoing during the time when he was suspected of experiencing dehydration, it is assumed that he has already lost 2% of body fluid which is considered to be the highest rate among athletes.

Along with water, what essential nutrients has Michael’s body most likely lost as result of his heavy sweating?

Dehydration due to heavy sweating could also cause the pervasive release of vitamins B and C from the body which are both complex water soluble. The loss of these vitamins from the body increases the possibility of feeling tired and weak throughout the day.

Using his reported caloric intake, estimate Michael’s fluid needs.

Considering his weight and his caloric intake Michael needs at least 82.5 ounces of fluid intake daily/ or based from his caloric intake which is calculated at 0.034 ounces of fluid per caloric intake, Michael needs at least 119 ounces of fluid intake which lands him at an average of 100.75 ounces per day.

Besides fruit juice and soda, what foods and beverages would you encourage to meet Michael’s fluid requirements?

Citrus fruits are specifically recommended. Such fruits include watermelon and other groups that provide high fluid sources.

What food groups appear to be deficient in Michael’s usual diet? What essential nutrients are likely to be lacking as a result of his limited diet?

Fruits and vegetables are what is specifically needed by Michael especially that his body needs constant replenishment of the release of vitamins B and C during times of excessive sweating during practice. Having regular servings of fruits and vegetables during breaks would best be able to replenish such lost nutrients from the body as well as provide increase of fluid intake that he receives every day.

Using information in this chapter and the simplified point system on page 4-5, estimate Michael’s calcium intake. Is this adequate for his age? If not, what recommendations for increasing his calcium intake would you offer?

Considering the dietary allowance that Michael is currently at, he is approximately having an intake of 725 milligrams of calcium intake which is lower than the recommended rate at 1,300 milligrams for 17 year old males. In this regard, it is important the he increase such intake through adding in fruits and vegetables high in calcium in his diet which could include green leafy vegetables and several varieties of nuts such as almonds and Brazil nuts.