NUR 2050: Eating for Good Health Case Study #2: Making healthy choices in the restaurant

Part 1

1. BMI for each member of Jones family has been calculated below:

a. Darrell

Weight = 89.80kg

Height = 1.70 m

BMI =

b. Marie

Weight = 60.39kg

Height = 1.62m

BMI =

c. Sherie

Weight = 72.12kg

Height = 1.68m

BMI =

2. The daily caloric intake has been calculated below using Harris-Benedict equation:

a. Darrell

BMR = 66.5 + (13.75*weight in kg) + (5.003*height in cm) – (6.775*age in years)

BMR = 66.5 + (13.75*89.80 kg) + (5.003*170cm) – (6.755*49)

= 1820.765

Darrell has a sedentary lifestyle

Thus, Harris-Benedict equation for Darrell = BMR *1.2

= 1820.765*1.2 = 2184.918 calorie

b. Marie

BMR = 66.5 + (13.75 x weight in kg) + (5.003 x height in cm) - (6.775 x age)

= 66.5 + (13.75 x 60.39 kg) + (5.003 x 162 cm) - (6.775 x 46)

= 1395.6985

Thus, Harris Benedict equation = BMR *1.55 = 1395.6985*1.55

= 2163.33 calorie

c. For Sherie

BMR = 66.5 + (13.75 x weight in kg) + (5.003 x height in cm) - (6.775 x age)

= 66.5 + (13.75 x 72.12kg) + (5.003 x 168 cm) - (6.775 x 21)

= 1756.379

Thus, Harris Benedict equation = BMR *1.725 = 1395.6985*1.725

= 3029.75 calorie

According to Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a male, aged between 31-50 years and having Sedentary life style should have about 2200 to 2400 calories which is recommended for Darrell. However, caloric requirement of Darrell is about 2185 which is close to the recommended value.

For females between the age 31-50 years and having moderately active life the recommended caloric value is 2000. The required calorie of Marie is a little more i.e. 2163 calorie.

For Sherie, the recommended calorie intake is 2400. However, her requirement is very high i.e. 3030 calorie.

3. BMI is not the best indicator of body composition. One of the main reasons is that BMI uses body weight to measure risk. However, it is actually body fat which leads to obesity in people and not body weight. Weight takes into account weight of bones also. In the current scenario of Jones family, Darrell has BMI of 31.1. This means that he is obese. But it might so happen that his bones might be heavy which in turn increases his body weight. He might not have extra fat and hence he might not be obese. Hence BMI is not the best indicator of body composition.

4. The answers are given below:

a. The calculated calorie required by Sherie is 3029.75 cal. However, according to her meal plan she takes only 1483 calories. Thus, she does not consume adequate intake amount of calories. She requires 1547 calories more to meet her calorie requirement.

b. Sherie’s caloric intake is very less than the required amount. This can make her weak and decrease her energy levels. If she did not increase her calorie intake, then it can have serious consequences on her health.

5.

a. According to her nutritional report, Sherie is not consuming adequate amount of whole grains, vegetables, dairy products, protein rich foods, and oils. Her intake of Sodium is very high.

b. Inadequate amount of whole grains has lead to a decrease in total amount of calorie. It also decreases the amount of dietary fibre, iron and many B vitamins. Inadequate amount of vegetables limits the amount of dietary fibre, minerals like zinc, iron, magnesium and potassium, as well as essential Vitamins like Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin A in the body. Inadequate amount of dairy products decreases the amount of Calcium and Vitamin D in the body. Yoghurt contains Potassium which will help to maintain blood pressure. Inadequate amount of protein rich foods, reduces the amount of Vitamin E, Vitamin B, iron, magnesium and zinc in the body. Oils are also a very good source of Vitamin E and less of oil decreases the amount of Vitamin E in the body.

c. This type of eating pattern increases the amount of Sodium in the body.

d. Increasing the amount of Sodium is very hazardous to health as it can lead to hypertension and heart related diseases. It can even lead to cirrhosis of liver and kidney diseases.

6. One important recommendation for Sherie is to increase the amount of dairy products in her meal plan especially in her breakfast. She has only 3/4th cup of dairy products, whereas according to her physical activity and BMR, she should have atleast 3 cups of dairy products. She can drink fat free or low fat milk in breakfast. Sherie can even choose to have fat-free or low fat yoghurt in lunch. This will increase her intake of dairy products. Since she is a sports person and active person, she requires proper amount of calcium to keep her bones strong. Eating dairy products will increase the amount of calcium in the body.

Another important recommendation for Sherie is to increase protein rich foods in her meal. According to her goal, Sherie should have 7oz of protein rich food daily, but she has only 4 ½ oz of protein foods per day. Eating protein rich foods will increase her caloric intake and will also help in her development. Protein rich foods like meat, poultry, beans, fish, nuts, eggs, etc., increases the supply of nutrients like Vitamin E, Vitamin B, iron, magnesium and zinc in the body. Sherie is a young girl and she needs adequate amount of iron as she loses large amount of iron from her body every month as a result of menstruation. From her nutrient report it can be evaluated that Sherie requires 18mg of Iron per day but she consumes only 11mg of iron per day. Thus, she needs to include her iron intake by eating protein rich food and also by including more green leafy vegetables in her diet. Inadequate amount of iron can lead to anaemia.