Question

 Jossy is 6 year old girl and is in elementary school.  At her last doctor visit, her measured height was 46 inches and her weight was 61 pounds.  Her pediatrician voiced concern over Jossy’s excessive weight gain over the past year.  Her usual diet consists of sweetened cereal with whole milk and fruit juice for breakfast and a juice drink and crackers for her mid-morning snack.  On school days, Jossy buys her lunch at school; her favorite menu items are pizza and tacos.  Jossy’s mom states that she started a new job this past year, which requires that Jossy attend an after-school program until 6 in the evening.  She receives a snack there, usually an 8 oz box of fruit juice and crackers.  Jossy’s parents report that Jossy is “always hungry” and they will often stop for her favorite chicken nuggets, fries, and soda on late evenings when the family is too tired to cook.  Jossy likes to play video games and has a computer and television in her room.  Her father complains that she spends more time in her room than playing outside.  Jossy’s mother is overweight and her father is of normal weight, although he states he was overweight when he was a child.  The family has discussed getting more exercise on the weekends but are not sure how to add this to their already busy schedules.

(a).  Calculate Jossy’s body mass index (BMI) and use this to           evaluate her weight status using the information in How               To 16-2 on page 503 in the text.

                        (b) From the information in chapter 16 in your text, what are some                                        factors that may have contributed to Jossy’s excess weight gain over                               the past year? 

                      (c)   Considering her age and the information in chapter 16, what do you                               think would be a reasonable weight management goal for Jossy?  

                      (d)  Using the recommendations in Table 16-9, what strategies would you                              suggest that Jossy and her parents incorporate into their current                                      lifestyle? 

(e.) Based on her usual intake, identify at least 2 or 3 nutrients likely to be deficient in Jossy’s diet.  What major food groups provide these nutrients?

 

(f.)Assuming her current level of activity, what are Jossy’s estimated daily kcalorie needs according to Table 16-7? 

 

        

Answer 1

(a) Calculate Jossy’s body mass index (BMI) and use this to evaluate her weight status using the information in How To 16-2 on page 503 in the text.

 

Weight = 61 pounds    =          27.7(kg)

Height = 46 inches      =          1.1684(m)                   

 

                      BMI     =          weight (kg)      or                     weight (lb)       x  703

                                            height (m)²                               height (in.)²

 

                                                =          27.7                 =          27.7

                                   1.1684²                               1.3651

 

                                    =          20.3 BMI

 With BMI of 20.3 Jossy weight status is obese > 95th percentile.

 

b.         From the information in chapter 16 in your text, what are some factors that may have contributed to Jossy’s excess weight gain over the past year?

 

            Some of the factors that may have contributed to Jossy’s weight gain over the past year includes genetic and environmental factors. Jossy’s mother is overweight while her father was overweight as a child. Environmental factors which include poor diet and physical inactivity which are considered the two strongest environmental factors. From the information given concerning Jossy, since her usual diet consists of foods from solid fats and added sugars which are empty in kcalories. Foods like sweetened cereal, fruit juice, juice drink, pizza and tacos, fries, and soda only contributes empty kcalories. For her physical inactivity, Jossy is reported spending more time indoor, like to play video games and has a computer and television in her room.  She has become more sedentary, and children who are sedentary are more often overweight. Television, computer and other can promotes overweight and obesity has it requires no energy beyond basal metabolism, replaces vigorous activities, encourages snacking and promotes a sedentary lifestyle.

 

c.         Considering her age and the information in chapter 16, what do you think would be a reasonable weight management goal for Jossy? 

 

A reasonable weight management goal for Jossy considering her age would be is to improve long term physical health through permanent changes in lifestyle

habits. This approach should include diet, physical activity, psychological support, and behavioral changes. This goal will help to improve the Jossy’s BMI.

 

d.         Using the recommendations in Table 16-9, what strategies would you suggest that Jossy and her parents incorporate into their current lifestyle?

           

            Jossy and her parents needs to incorporate healthy diets into their food choice and reduced their sedentary lifestyle. The following recommendations can help in preventing overweight and obesity.

 

                                                        i.            Eating fruits and vegetables each day with at least 5 servings.

                                                      ii.            Reduce the amount of time spend in front of televisions, computers and other media. Amount of time spend in front of these gadgets should not be more than 2 hours a day.

                                                    iii.            At least spend one hour or more on vigorous, physical exercises and activities, this will help in them in building muscles and bone strengthening. This should be done least twice a week.

                                                    iv.            Should only take zero sweetened beverages instead of sugar sweetened beverages, drink water and low-fat or fat free milk should be used instead of full cream milk.

                                                      v.            The family should endeavor to cook more at home instead of eating out in restaurants and eateries. Eat meals together as a family at least 5 times a week

 

e.         Based on her usual intake, identify at least 2 or 3 nutrients likely to be deficient in Jossy’s diet.  What major food groups provide these nutrients?

 

Based on Jossy’s usual meals, calcium, zinc, vitamin C, or vitamin D; are more likely to be deficient in her diet. The major food groups that provide these nutrients are grains, vegetables, and fruits.

 

 

f.          Assuming her current level of activity, what are Jossy’s estimated daily kcalorie needs according to Table 16-7? 

 

            Jossy as is a 6-year-old girl (female) estimated daily kcalorie needs is 1200kcal per day.