Critical Thinking – Balancing Energy: Genetics and Lifestyle Melanie was always
ID: 122100 • Letter: C
Question
Critical Thinking – Balancing Energy: Genetics and Lifestyle
Melanie was always slightly overweight. Because her parents are both obese, no one was surprised. During her freshman year at college, she noticed how her thinner friends ate and spent their free time. She decided to make some changes. Melanie, now 23 years old, is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 155lbs. By recording and analyzing her food intake for 3 days, Melanie determines her typical intake is 2450 kcal/day. By keeping an activity log, she estimates that she gets 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per day. This puts her activity level in the “low-active” category. Melanie has heard that changing her energy balance by even 100 kcals a day can help manage weight. She lists some of her high-calorie choices in the table below.
To increase her activity level to about an hour a day, she begins walking with her roommate three days a week and enrolls in an aerobics class two nights a week. As Melanie begins to lose weight, she wonders if her weight problem is due to the genes she inherited or her lifestyle.
Food
Energy (kcals)
Glazed donut twist, 5 inches
490
Potato chips, 2 oz
300
KFC chicken thigh, extra crispy
380
Tombstone 4-meat pizza, 1 slice
400
Peanut butter chocolate granola bar
190
Breyer’s Reese’s ice cream, 1 cup
340
Snickers, 4oz
540
What is her BMI? Which category does she fall in?
How does Melanie’s EER compare with her intake? Is she in energy balance?
Suggest an alternative for each high calorie food that would provide at least 100 kcals less.
If she maintains her higher activity level (Active category) and reduced intake (by 700 kcals/week), how long will it take her to lose 10lbs?
Do you think Melanie’s weight problem is due to genes she inherited or her lifestyle? Why?
Food
Energy (kcals)
Glazed donut twist, 5 inches
490
Potato chips, 2 oz
300
KFC chicken thigh, extra crispy
380
Tombstone 4-meat pizza, 1 slice
400
Peanut butter chocolate granola bar
190
Breyer’s Reese’s ice cream, 1 cup
340
Snickers, 4oz
540
Explanation / Answer
1.BMI formula = (Weight in Pounds / (Height in inches x Height in inches)) x 703
Melanie's BMI is 26.48.
It shows malanie is overweight and this increases the risk of type2 diabetes, hypertension,coronary heart disease, stroke,sleep apnea and certain type of cancer.
2.ESTIMATED ENERGY REQUIREMENT(EER):
It is the average dietary energy intake that is predicted to maintain energy balance in healthy, normal weight individuals of a defined age,gender,weight, height and level of physical activity consistent with good health.
Estimated Energy Requirement(kcal/day)= Total energy expenditure+energy deposition
EER or the average dietary intake requirement of a normal person of same age, sex,height and weight is 2404.8kcal/day.
Melaine typical intake is 2450kcal. so her energy is balanced.
she can do typical activities of daily living such as gardening(no lifting), household tasks, light activity while sitting,loading/unloading car, mopping.plus 30-60 minutes of moderate activity daily such as cycling, golf, swimming,walking.
ALTERNATIVE FOOD
calories in oil,mayonnaise and butter: 420kj/100kcal each.
calories in cheese: 420kJ/100kcal
calories in Bread: 420KJ/100kcal
calories in dried fruit: 420KJ/100kcal (30g portion of raisins,which counts as one of a 5 A DAY.
calories in vegetables: 420KJ/100kcal (around 120g each)
calories in crisps:(approx nine crisps),
calories in meat and fish: 100kcal.(few bites of steak).
3.duration for lose of 10lbs: To lose 1 pound= burn of 3500kcal
Therefore 10lbs=burn of 35000 kcal.
so it will take around 50 days by intake of 700kcal.
4.In melaine's case genes are probably a lower contributor because she is strongly influenced by the avability of food. she can loss weight by changing of eating and exercise habits.
Related Questions
drjack9650@gmail.com
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.