LIFESPAN NUTRITION Case Study 2 Question 1: The Body Mass Index and waist circumference of Jack and Jill are within the categories of overweight

Running head : LIFESPAN NUTRITION
LIFESPAN NUTRITION
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

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Case Study 2
Question 1: As observed from the given case study, the Body Mass Index (BMI) as well as the
waist circumference of both Jack and Jill are within the categories of ‘overweight’. In
accordance to the Department of Health of the Australian Government as well as ‘IVF Australia’
– a leading organization of fertility and reproductive health in Australia, the maintenance of a
BMI within the ‘normal’ range of 18.5 – 24.9, in adults aged 19 to 30 years, exerts optimal
health outcomes concerning an individual’s reproductive and sexual health as well as
possibilities of a healthy conception (Australian Government Department of Health, 2019). This
is due the fact that an abnormally high weight is associated with imbalances in hormones
responsible for ovulation resulting in disturbed menstrual and ovulation cycles (Kudesia, Talib &
Pollack, 2017). Even amidst a situation of successfully conception and pregnancy, an unhealthy
BMI poses increased susceptibilities to hypertension, preeclampsia, blood clotting, gestational
diabetes, still birth and babies with congenital and anthropometric measurements (Waring et al.,
2015). Likewise, excessive body weight in males can exert detrimental effects in the quality and
fertility of sperms, hence affecting conception (Kothari et al., 2019). Thus, considering the above
recommendations, Jack and Jill’s reproductive health as per their age and anthropometric
measurements is inappropriate and unhealthy for successful conception.
Question 2: While achievement of gradual reductions in weight resulting in healthy weight can
yield beneficial effects on a couple’s possibility to conceive, rapid losses in weight must be
address with precautions since it may result in complication during birth and as well as in the
offspring (Gorczyca et al., 2018).A rapid loss in weight can result in the birth of a child who is
preterm, is of low birth weight and stunted in growth and development (Price et al., 2018).

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Further, rapid weight loss prior to conception may result in low maternal weight and nutritional
deficiencies of key micronutrients such as iron and folate, which will not only enhance chances
of miscarriage, but may also result in delivery of a baby with deformities such as neural tube
defects (Schummers et al., 2015).
Question 3: In accordance to the Nutrient and Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand,
the Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) and the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) of
folate is 600 μg/day and 520 μg/day, while that of iron is 27 mg/day and 22-23 mg/day during
pregnancy (National Health and Medical Research Council. (2019). This will aid in the
achievement of a healthy conception, maintenance of healthy maternal as well as fetal blood
volumes, as well as the birth of a baby which is free from anemia, neural tube defects and
nutritional stunting (Moll & Davis, 2017). Hence, considering the difficulty of meeting these
nutritional needs through diet alone, Jill may be required to consume folate and iron nutritional
supplements as recommended by The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists at daily dosages of 60 mg (iron) and 0.4 mg (folate) for healthy
conception and delivery (The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and
Gynaecologists, 2019). Likewise, as per the Australian Dietary Guidelines, Jack and Jill can
adhere to moderate levels of exercise daily for 30 minutes (as per less than 4.5 hours per day
times for sitting) and 45 to 60 minutes (as per sedentary lifestyle and contemporary fast food
consumption) for healthy loss. Similarly, as per the guidelines, Jack and Jill can also adhere to
Foundation Diets formulated by the Food Modeling system, which is high in whole grains, milk
products and lean meats and low in refined grains, starches and high fat products like red meats
and whole milk dairy foods, for weight loss and healthy conception (Australian Dietary
Guidelines, 2019).

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Case Study 5
Question 1: As per the given data, it can be calculated that Kara’s BMI is 26.6, which according
to the growth rate and BMI for age z scores outlined by the World Health Organization is in the
category of ‘overweight’ (World Health Organization, 2019).
Question 2: Upon evaluation of Kara’s diet, it can be observed that are daily food consumption
comprises of a large portion of processed foods such as breakfast cereals, biscuits, chips and nuts
as well as sugars, coupled with comparatively lower portions of vegetables and proteins. Hence,
this means that Kara’s current diet comprises of major nutritional imbalances in terms of high
amounts of refined and sugary carbohydrates due to processed food consumption and low
quantities of macronutrients such as proteins and unsaturated fats, due to inappropriate
consumption of lean meats, legumes and dairy products (Carrasco-Luna et al., 2018). Likewise,
due to inadequate consumption of vegetables and fruits, imbalances also exist in terms of
deficiencies in micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants (Joo, Ju & Chang,
2015). As per the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, Kara’s diet must comprise of a balanced
proportion of core food groups such as whole grains, lean meats, dairy products, fruits,
vegetables, legumes and beans for the prevention of nutritional imbalances (Australian Dietary
Guidelines, 2019).
Question 3: As per the data reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics – Australian Health
Survey (2011 – 2012) – Australians, especially adolescents within the age group of 14 to 18
years, derive a major proportion of their energy from ‘discretionary foods’ – which include
products of negligible nutritional value such as sugary sweetened beverages, breakfast cereals
and confectionary items such as fruit and nut bars which increases susceptibilities to deficiencies
in macronutrients like dietary fiber and excess consumption of saturated fats, sugars and the

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resultant calories (Australian Bureau of Statistics (2019). Likewise, adolescence is a stage of
growth spurts associated with increased muscle development, blood volumes and bone mass
(Cox et al., 2017). Considering the observed Australian Health Survey’s reports of low fruit and
vegetable intake by adolescents, which is also observed in Kara, such imbalances can result in
increased risk of deficiencies in macronutrients such as proteins and micronutrients such as
calcium and iron (Lobstein et al., 2015). The risk of iron is greater in female adolescents like
Kara due to her regular menstrual cycles (Atkins et al., 2019).
Question 4: Diet plan for Kara (as designed by the Author)
Meal Menu
Breakfast  Strawberry and blueberry oats porridge
prepared in low fat milk (1 bowl)
 1 boiled egg
Mid-Morning  Baked kale and sweet potato chips (1
small bowl)
 200 ml of apple-cinnamon yogurt
smoothie
Lunch  Chicken coleslaw whole grain
sandwich
 200 ml low fat chocolate soy milk
Afternoon Tea  30 grams of trail mix (unsalted and
roasted almonds and walnuts)
 2 flaxseed and soy crackers with cream
cheese or peanut butter or chickpea and

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bean whole grain toast with hummus
 200 ml lime and mint home-made
lemonade
Dinner Snack Chicken and spinach aglio olio pasta topped
with feta cheese
Snack 2 scoops of sugar free, non dairy banana ice cream
or dark 4 dark chocolate coated strawberries
Module 1
Question 3: BMR Calculation
Weight: 55 kg
Height: 160 cm
(For female, in the age group of 18 to 30 years) Basal Metabolic Rate as per the Schofield
equation = 62 * 55 + 2036 = 5446 kJ/day
Questions 1 and 2: Nutritional Analysis (See Appendix 1 and 2)
As per the Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand, the recommended
water intake for adults ranges from 8 to 10 cups per day (2.1 – 2.6 liters per day) (National
Health and Medical Research Council, 2019). Upon evaluation of the personal fluid intake for
one day, it can be observed that I am meeting with the required water consumption throughout
the day. However, care has to be taken for not exceeding the given intake since it may result in
health complication such as hyponatremia, cramps, vomiting, nausea and fluctuations in blood