Chapter 13, Problem 1.1CS

Summary Introduction

To determine: The necessity of Person S’s diet plan.

Introduction: A body weighing greater than a considered normal body weight is called as overweight. Being overweight causes many health problems. This is usually due to the extra body weight.

Explanation of Solution

Person S, a third-grader, in regular classes always uses a wheel chair. Person S is able to transfer himself from the wheelchair to a chair. In school, he has a nurse to assist him. As a part of his physical therapy treatment, he participates in a modified physical education. Person S’s mother has restricted his evening meal and has stopped buying him his favorite evening snacks. The nutritional assessment of Person S showed that he is overweight. Since he is unable to stand, the stature of Person S is estimated. Person S is made to lie down; his body length is measured and is compared with his last measured length. The CDC chart shows that Person S is at 75^th percentile in weight for his age.

Person S gains around 8 lb per year and requires 1100 calories per day because of less activity and short stature. Person S is not concerned about his weight, but his mother is concerned about him being overweight.

Even though Person S is not concerned about being overweight, a diet plan must be there to protect him from the consequences of being overweight. A person who is overweight will have a serious impact on his health. A proper diet plan helps to reduce his weight. Since he always needs assistance for call of nature and mobility, his involvement in physical activity is less. Therefore, being overweight will make it difficult for his assistant to help him and will add other complications as well. In addition, it will make Person S less self-conscious and cause an inability to work with confidence in his social circle.