HLTH 640
SAFE DIETS FOR A HEALTHY METABOLISM
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.
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 195
Age: 52
Gender: Female
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 tried the Optavia diet. She chose the
diet after seeing a co-worker’s success. Also, the
diet was low maintenance and fit into her busy
work schedule.
Have them describe the diet to you. There are two plans designed for weight loss. She
chose the 5&1 program. The program consists of
six daily meals: five fuelings and one self-
prepared meal. The meals are eaten in 2-3 hour
increments.
How did things go on that weight loss
diet? Did they have success? How do they
define success?
Initially, the diet worked well. She defined
success as achieving her weight loss goal. Her
goal was to lose 10-15 lbs but lost a total of 30
lbs. In that respect, she was successful. But after a
while, she said the food became monotonous.
Additionally, her husband continued to have bad
eating habits (i.e. fast food, food delivery, late
night eating). Eventually, she did as well and
gained 45 lbs. So, ultimately, I say she was not
successful.
Have they gone on any other weight loss
diets? If so, what were they? What were
their experience(s) like?
Yes. She tried the Six Week Body Makeover Diet
Plan. The diet requires food consumption based
on your body type. She did not have success with
this diet. For one reason, she did not set aside
ample time for consistent meal preparation.
Secondly, her job responsibilities (at that time)
did not leave much space for eating every 2
hours.
What resources does the subject use to get
their nutrition information?
Her source for nutrition is Google or
occasionally, a health magazine.
Did the diet recommend regular exercise? Yes. The diet recommended regular exercise.
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Have them describe. If yes, do they still
exercise?
However, she had a surgical procedure which
limited physical activity. When her activity
restrictions were lifted, she did not exercise. She
stated the diet worked without it; nor does she
exercise now.
Did the subject take vitamins or
supplements? Why or why not? If he/she
took supplements, how much did he/she
spend a month?
Yes. She took collagen, sea moss, and zinc. She
started the supplements prior to the diet and
decided to continue during the program. She
spent roughly $90-$100 monthly.
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.)
She is not a fan of “western medicine”.
Therefore, she wants to learn more about holistic
health and wellness.
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.)
She suffers from kidney disease, hypertension,
and more. Her concern is the lack of information
she has about holistic treatments for her medical
conditions.
Feel free to ask any other questions you
feel will help you better understand your
subject on this matter.
Based on your medical conditions, did
you consult a doctor or nutritionist
before starting the Optavia Diet?
Why/Why not? If so, what advice did
you receive?
She did not consult with a doctor or nutritionist.
Aside from the information her co-worker gave,
she researched reviews written by previous
Optavia clients. She concluded that any negative
review was because the client did not achieve
his/her desired result. Therefore, she decided to
take a risk and try it for herself.
Perceived Barriers
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HLTH 640
The person I chose to interview tried the Optavia diet. The Optavia diet consists of three
programs, two designed for achieving a desired weight and one to maintain the achieved weight.
All three programs are a combination of pre-packaged foods (referred to as fuelings) which
Kebles and Hemric1 state are reduced-carbs, low-calorie, high in protein and probiotics; and self-
prepared meals. Because this diet reduces carbohydrate intake, the body burns stored fat for
energy, resulting in quick weight loss.
The first barrier is the willpower to maintain the diet. My subject and her husband rarely
cooked meals at home. Instead, they ate a lot of fast food during the weekdays. On the weekends,
they always ordered pizza or other food delivery. When she started Optavia, her husband
continued their same eating routine. After my subject lost the desired amount of weight, she went
back to her old habits; regaining the weight she lost plus more. After learning how carbohydrates
can affect metabolism, I think her weight gain was the result of a reduced metabolism which
changed the carbohydrates to stored fat.
The next barrier is lack of exercise. The diet recommends regular exercise. When my
subject started Optavia, she could not exercise due to a surgical procedure. However, when she
could, she chose not to exercise then or after she stopped the diet. I believe exercise could have
helped her maintain some level of weight loss. Additionally, she has multiple health conditions.
So, exercising could lower the risk of developing more conditions, such as cardiovascular
diseases.
Healthy/Unhealthy Approach
My subject chose an unhealthy approach to weight loss. First, this diet is not a one size
fits all. As previously stated, she has multiple health conditions. So, I think she should have
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consulted a doctor or nutritionist. One, to make certain this diet was safe for her health. And two,
to ensure this diet would meet her specific nutritional needs.
Second, this is an unhealthy diet approach to weight loss due to macronutrient deficiency.
My subject showed me the nutrition label for a packet of Optavia’s chicken noodle soup. The
total carbohydrates in one packet of soup is 13 grams. As a reminder, she was on the 5&1 plan.
So, if she eats five soup packets in a day, that is 65 grams of carbohydrates. This is an
insufficient amount of daily carbohydrate intake. As Bohon2 states, the National Academy of
Sciences suggests at least 130 grams of carbohydrates every day is the bare minimum of carbs
required to generate enough glucose for the brain to operate.
Role of Public Health Nutritionist
The role of a public health nutritionist in my subject’s weight and health journey would
be very beneficial. My subject does not have any nutrition knowledge. She relies on nutritional
information from Google or an occasional article in health magazines. In this case, a public
health nutritionist can develop a meal and wellness program specific to my subject’s individual
nutrition needs. As well as ensuring the program is beneficial for her health conditions.
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References
1. Kebles C, Hemric M. Omega Z Diet For Weight Loss 2nd ed. Amazon 2022.
2. Bohon, G. 2020-2023. How many carbohydrates does your brain need per day? Assessed
February 12, 2023. https://staminacomfort.com/how-many-carbohydrates-does-your-
brain-need-per-day.
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