HLTH 640
Demographic information of your chosen
subject. Demographics include age, height,
weight, and any other variables that you
would like to add. Do not provide names or
identify the subjects.
Female, 31 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 250
lbs
What diet has your subject gone on before
AND why did they choose that diet? Have
them explain why they chose that diet.
My subject was drawn to the keto diet
because they witnessed remarkable
transformations in people who had already
tried it. Seeing others shed significant weight
while still being able to indulge in their
favorite foods was a huge motivator. The idea
that they could achieve their weight loss goals
while enjoying a range of delicious meals
made the keto diet seem both achievable and
enticing to them.
Have them describe the diet to you. “a keto diet is when the diet is driven into
ketosis to burn energy, so you must eat high
fats and low carbs to lose the weight”
How did things go on that weight loss diet?
Did they have success? How do they define
success?
Sticking to the keto diet brought real results
for my subject. Whenever she stayed faithful
to the plan, she saw the pounds drop off. But
here's the thing, if she strayed even a little—
maybe indulging in more carbohydrates than
she should have—the progress slowed down.
Losing weight was their main target, and
despite occasional slips, the keto diet helped
them reach that goal.
Have they gone on any other weight loss
diets? If so, what were they? What were their
experience(s) like?
My subject hadn't ventured into any diets
before while being at this weight. The keto
diet marked her initial journey into intentional
weight management at this specific body size.
It was a new experience for her, stepping into
the state of dieting to address their weight
concerns.
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What resources does the subject use to get
their nutrition information?
She used social media such as TikTok,
Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram to
find keto friendly recipes for her diet
Did the diet recommend regular exercise?
Have them describe. If yes, do they still
exercise?
A keto diet stickily means loading up on good
fats and eating fewer carbs, so it doesn’t
require exercise, but she still did to boost her
weight loss journey. She did her regular
exercise routine which was walked 4 miles
daily.
Did the subject take vitamins or supplements?
Why or why not? If he/she took supplements,
how much did he/she spend a month?
She took electrolytes, protein, and vitamin D.
She started taking the electrolytes because she
noticed changes in her body's water balance
after starting the keto diet. She took vitamin D
because it was recommended by her primary
care physician after a recent checkup. The
protein powder was nothing new something
that she has been doing for a few years prior
to this.
The electrolytes packets were $5 per moth
Protein po
If the subject were to learn more about
nutrition and weight loss, what specifically
would he/she like to learn about or what
would be helpful to him/her?
(You are not to address or provide answers to
their concerns at this time, simply identify
their questions and areas of interest.)
Do I need to explore balanced diets, portion
control, and meal planning for my health
concerns? Will this high fat low carb diet do
something to my health in the long run? Will
my body get use to the keto diet, and will the
weight come back?
What concerns or questions does the subject
have about diet or health in general, if any?
(You are not to address or provide answers to
their concerns at this time, simply list their
concerns.)
I am more on a taller and thicker girl just in
general, is it even possible for me to get
smaller? And if not, will that affect my
health?
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HLTH 640
Feel free to ask any other questions you feel
will help you better understand your subject
on this matter.
The biggest barrier that I see in my subject is understanding the knowledge gaps or
misconceptions about the keto diet itself. Theoretically, this restriction of carbohydrates causes the
body to switch from glucose metabolism as a primary means of energy production. This results in the
use of ketone bodies from fat metabolism, a metabolic state where the body prefers to utilize fat as its
primary fuel source.2 For instance, if the subject lacks understanding of macronutrient ratios or struggles
to adapt to a high-fat, low-carb lifestyle due to rooted family dietary habits, it might hinder adherence.
The impact of the Keto diet on metabolism, particularly the shift from carbohydrate to fat utilization for
energy, could also be a barrier if not understood or experienced optimally.
I believe the approach taken by my subject towards weight loss wasn’t healthy. Her primary
focus was solely on shedding weight rapidly, but she did this by using a method she didn't understand
well. She sought a quick-fix or effortless solution instead of delving into a comprehensive understanding
of the diet and its associated risks. The Keto diet might be thought is as healthy or not depending on
their execution. A healthier approach would involve thorough research, understanding the complete
weight loss process, its reasons, and the necessity behind losing weight. This was her first time at this
weight which led her to peruse a rapid weight loss diet. The ketogenic diet may present some common
and generally mild short-term adverse effects, known as the "keto flu." These symptoms can include
nausea, vomiting, headache, fatigue, dizziness, insomnia, reduced exercise tolerance, and constipation.
These symptoms resolve in a few days to weeks. Ensuring adequate fluid and electrolyte intake can help
counter some of these symptoms. Long-term adverse effects include hepatic steatosis,
hypoproteinemia, hypocitraturia, hypercalciuria, kidney stones, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies.1 A
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healthy approach to Keto involves focusing on nutrient-dense whole foods, adequate hydration, and
monitoring electrolyte balance while avoiding heavily processed fats. If the subject followed a well-
structured Keto plan with attention to proper nutrition and doesn’t resort to extreme restrictions or
unhealthy fat sources, it aligns with the healthier aspects emphasized in the Omega Z Diet Book.
In the context of the Keto diet, a public health nutritionist can play a crucial role in providing
personalized guidance. They're like a reliable compass, not just providing information
but also understanding the unique challenges individuals face They can address
misconceptions about the diet, offer support in meal planning to ensure nutritional adequacy, and
monitor health indicators like lipid profiles. They would also educate on sustaining the diet long-term
and transitioning out of it smoothly to prevent weight regain or metabolic disruptions.
Picture them as a supportive coach, cheering you on through the ups and downs of
this dietary journey. They're there to listen, adapt plans to fit your preferences, and
celebrate each milestone, making the daunting task of maintaining a keto lifestyle
feel more manageable and less overwhelming. Ultimately, they aim not just to
educate but to connect on a personal level, fostering a sense of encouragement and
understanding along the way.
Bibliography
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1.
Masood W, Uppaluri KR, Annamaraju P. Ketogenic diet. National Library of Medicine.
Published March 21, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499830/
2.
Dowis K, Banga S. The Potential Health Benefits of the Ketogenic Diet: a Narrative
Review.ENutrients. 2021;13(5):1654. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13051654
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