Question

Ryan is a 6-year-old elementary school student. At his last well child exam, his measured height was 46 inches and his weight was 80 pounds. His pediatrician is concerned that Ryan has gained an excessive amount of weight over the past year. His usual diet consists of sweetened cereal with whole milk and fruit juice for breakfast and a juice drink and crackers for his mid-morning snack. During the week, Ryan buys his lunch at school; his favorite menu items are pizza and tacos. His mother states that she started a new job this past year, which requires that Ryan attend an after-school program until 5:30 or 6 in the evening. He receives a snack there, usually an 8-ounce box of fruit juice and crackers. Ryan’s parents report that Ryan is "always hungry" and they will often stop for his favorite chicken nuggets, fries, and a soda on late evenings when the family is too tired to cook. Ryan likes to play video games and has a computer and television in his room. His father complains that he spends more time in his room than playing outside. Ryan’s mother is overweight and his father is of normal weight, although he states he was overweight as a child. The family has discussed getting more exercise on the weekends but are not sure how to add this to their busy schedules.

1. What is Ryan’s body mass index? Using the criteria set forth in your text, how would Ryan’s BMI be classified?

2. Choose the following: What would a reasonable goal be for Ryan?

a. Maintain his current weight as he grows taller
b. Lose at least 15% of his weight in 6 months
c. Reduce his BMI to a lower weight category within 6 months
d. Achieve normal weight for age and sex within 6 months
e. Use an over-the-counter weight loss drug in accordance with instructions.

3. What percentage of U.S. children and adolescents, ages 2 through 19, are overweight?

a. 32
b. 12
c. 22
d. 42
e. 52

4. If a teen has at least one obese parent, what are the teen’s chances of becoming an obese adult?

a. Greater than 80%
b. 40 to 50%
c. 50 to 60%
d. 70 to 80%
e. 60 to 70%

5. In the U.S. how much time do 8 to 18 year-olds spend watching television each day, on average?

a. 4.5 hours
b. 1.5 hours
c. 2.5 hours
d. 3.5 hours
e. 5.5 hours

6. As a sedentary 6 year-old boy, what is Ryan’s estimated daily energy need?

a. 1200 kcalories
b. 1000 kcalories
c. 1400 kcalories
d. 1600 kcalories
e. 1800 kcalories

7. Design a meal plan with snacks, suitable for a 6 year old, that will help Ryan maintain healthy weight as he grows. Provide a sample one day menu.

8. Discuss at least three lifestyle changes that Ryan’s parents could implement to help him.

Answer 1

Answer: 1. Ryan's body mass index is 26.8 according to the Kids health BMI calculator. This put him in a 100th percentile and at this range of BMI he is categorised as being obese.

2.d. Achieve normal weight for age and sex within 6 months

3.22%

4.b. 40 to 50%

5.b. 1000 kcalories

6.a. 4.5 hours

7.meal plan for Ryan

Breakfast: a bowl of one half cup of cooked oat.

Snack: a banana

Lunch: a piece of cooked fish

Snack: an apple

Dinner: one piece of grilled chicken.

8. 1. Change their own eating habits.

2.stop buying unhealthy meals or snacks for themselves and for him.

3. Encourage him to play outside rather than watching TV or even take walks with him .