Chapter 17, Problem 1.6CS

Summary Introduction

To determine: The interventions to be used to help Person A reach his goal.

Introduction: An important factor in determining the overall health of an individual is called weight. Excessive weight is usually a major cause of serious medical problems such as the increased risk of heart diseases, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and certain cancers. Therefore, it is essential to maintain a healthy weight in order to eliminate the development of these risks later in life.

Explanation of Solution

Person A is a single father with two teenage sons. He has a software development job, for which he travels 90 minutes daily. He likes his workplace and colleagues. He is $5^{\prime }11^{″}$ tall with a weight of 190 pounds. He is a football and basketball enthusiast, and watches games on the television. His sons actively participate in sports events. He repairs an old car with his sons in his spare time. He does not carry lunch to his office as it has a cafeteria. Though he believes that a “hot meal” is required to meet the nutritional demands, he relies on frozen entrees or take-out and the evening meal is mostly from a fast food restaurant.

According to the data provided, the height of Person A is $5^{\prime }11^{″}$ and his weight is 190 lb.

Therefore, the height of Person A in meters is as follows:

$\begin{array}{c}\text{1 foot (}{1}^{\prime }\text{)= 0}\text{.31 meter}\\ \text{1 inch (}{1}^{″}\text{) = 0}\text{.025 meter}\\ \text{<msup><mn>5</mn><mo>′</mo></msup><mn>1</mn><msup><mn>1</mn><mo>″</mo></msup>= 5×0}\text{.31 + 11×0}\text{.025}\\ \simeq \text{ 1}\text{.8 meter}\end{array}$

The weight of Person A in kg is as follows:

$\begin{array}{c}\text{1 pound (lb)= 0}\text{.45 kg}\\ \text{190 lb= 190×0}\text{.45}\\ \text{=85}\text{.5 kg}\end{array}$

The BMI is calculated using the formula as given below:

$\begin{array}{c}\text{Body mass index }\left(\text{BMI}\right)\text{=}\frac{\text{Weight in }\left(\text{kg}\right)}{{\left[\text{height in (m)}\right]}^{\text{2}}}\\ \text{=}\frac{85.5}{{\left(\text{1}\text{.8}\right)}^{\text{2}}}\\ \simeq \text{ 26}{\text{.3 kg/m}}^{\text{2}}\end{array}$

Comparing the BMI of Person A with the guidelines, he is overweight. Therefore, Person A’s goal is to reduce his weight in order to live a healthy life.

The interventions needed to help Person A to reach his goal should be done by designing an appropriate diet and physical activity plan that he can follow for a long-term. His diet should be planned so that it has fewer calories and is high in protein, fiber, and micronutrient levels. He should try to incorporate healthy eating habits and prepare fresh meals, while minimizing food from outside. Besides, he should do regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight and engage in more physical activity in addition to his daily work routine.

Summary Introduction

To discuss: Topics and suggestions with Person A to reach his goal.

Introduction: Excess body weight is a major cause of serious medical problems, such as the increased risk of heart diseases, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and certain cancers. Therefore, it is essential to maintain a healthy weight in order to eliminate the development of these risks later in life.

Explanation of Solution

Person A is a single father with two teenage sons and has a software development job, for which he takes about 90 minutes to travel. He likes his workplace and colleagues. He is $5^{\prime }11^{″}$ tall with a weight of 190 pounds. He is an enthusiast of football and basketball, and watches games on the television. His sons actively participate in sports events. He repairs an old car with his sons in his spare time. He does not carry lunch to his office as it has a cafeteria. Though he believes that a “hot meal” is required to meet the nutritional demands, he relies on frozen entrees or take-out and the evening meal is mostly from a fast food restaurant.

According to the data provided, the height of Person A is $5^{\prime }11^{″}$ and his weight is 190 pounds. Therefore, the height of Person A in meters is as follow:

$\begin{array}{c}\text{1 foot (}{1}^{\prime }\text{)}\text{= 0}\text{.31 meter}\\ \text{1 inch (}{1}^{″}\text{) = 0}\text{.025 meter}\\ \text{<msup><mn>5</mn><mo>′</mo></msup><mn>1</mn><msup><mn>1</mn><mo>″</mo></msup>= 5×0}\text{.31 + 11×0}\text{.025}\\ \text{= 1}\text{.8 meter}\end{array}$

The weight of Person A in kg is as follows:

$\begin{array}{c}\text{1 pound (lb)}\text{= 0}\text{.45 kg}\\ \text{190 lb}\text{= 190×0}\text{.45}\\ \text{=}\text{85}\text{.5 kg}\end{array}$

The BMI is calculated using the formula as given below:

$\begin{array}{c}\text{Body mass index }\left(\text{BMI}\right)\text{=}\frac{\text{Weight in }\left(\text{kg}\right)}{{\left[\text{height in (m)}\right]}^{\text{2}}}\\ \text{=}\frac{85.5}{{\left(\text{1}\text{.8}\right)}^{\text{2}}}\\ \text{= 26}{\text{.388 kg/m}}^{\text{2}}\\ \cong 26.4{\text{kg/m}}^{\text{2}}\end{array}$

Comparing the BMI of Person A with the guidelines, he is overweight. Therefore, Person A’s goal is to reduce his weight in order to lead a healthy life. He must be made aware of the potential health issues that he may face due to his weight status.

Therefore, Person A should be suggested with a dietary plan along with adequate physical activities to lower his weight. He should be recommended to drink more non-sweetened fluids with reduced intake of refined carbohydrates and the inclusion of more proteins in his diet. Also, brisk walking for at least an hour daily is required along with regular exercise.

He should be motivated to reduce his weight and counseled about any stress. He should be provided with adequate skills for self-monitoring of his weight loss and health maintenance.