Unit8: Obesity and Diabetes 1

ElizabethHaynes5

Unit 8 Project

01/08/2013

EF310-02

Professor Heather Reiseck

Unit8: Obesity and Diabetes 2

Introduction:

Being overweight or obese and lack of physical inactivity can put someone at risk for several

health issues. Hypertension is one of the major chronic diseases in the United States. Healthcare

professionals may also refer to uncontrolled high blood pressure as “the silent killer.” The more

you weigh, the more blood is needed to supply oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. As the

volume of blood circulating through the blood vessels is increased, so is the pressure on the

artery walls. The more active we are, the more efficient our systems become. The more inactive

we are, the systems become weakened and less proficient. By regularly working or overworking

the heart, it becomes stronger. The United States is one of the top leading countries of obesity

and diabetes affects over 25.8 million people of all ages and is the seventh leading cause of

death. Some risk factors for someone with diabetes is kidney failure, limb amputation, heart

disease, stroke, and even new cases of blindness if left uncontrolled (Thygerson, A. &

Thygerson, S., FTBW, 2011). In an effort to live longer and prevent the risk of diseases like

diabetes, or even obesity, it is imperative to make the necessary healthy lifestyle changes.

Education and accountability is a good starting point, along with a good dietary plan and exercise

program to assist us in a great health and wellness lifestyle that could add years back to our life.

Mr. Conner recently came into our health facility wanting to enroll in our 3 month weight lose

program which includes: PAR-Q and HSQ assessment, medical history and medications, a few

risk factors and precautions, a person’s health and lifestyle habits which include; the body mass

index (BMI), an assessment of the cardiovascular, muscular strength and endurance, also,

nutrition, readiness for change, motivational strategies, and finding some recommendations that

fit with the lifestyle changes that Mr. Conner will be transitioning in the next 3 months and

beyond (Howley, E, et al, 2007, pg.317).

Unit8: Obesity and Diabetes 3

Health Status:

Recently, Mr. Conner a 40 year middle aged male went to seek his physician’s advice

with some health issues he was having. After experiencing fatigue and headaches Mr. Conner’s

physician order a series of blood test that showed Mr. Conner to have indications of high blood

pressure, high cholesterol and type 2diabetes. His physician recommended to enroll in a weight

lose program with supervised exercise. Mr. Conner weight is 265 lbs. and he stands at 5’ ft. 9.5

inches placing him at 38.6 for his BMI. Anything greater than 30 is considered to be obese.

When Mr. Conner initially came in for his consultation he filled out his PAR-Q and his HSQ and

was ready to get started with his weight lose program.

Medical History:

With the recent diagnoses of type 2 diabetes, Mr. Conner was placed on medication to

control his diabetes, Glyburide/ Metformin 5-500 mg, as well as statin meds to lower his

cholesterol, along with a diuretic for lowering his blood pressure, Fursemide 40mg for fluid

retention. He had several series of test done by his physician that included an exercise stress test

and blood work that showed Cholesterol level at 270, fasting glucose at 132, low density

lipoprotein (LDL) at 190, high density lipoprotein (HDL) 32. His blood pressure reading was

148/94 mmHg, he shows signs of high stress and previously inactive, showed no signs of

ischemia. His HSQ indicates his desires to drop between 10 to 15 pounds in the next 3 months to

keep his diabetes under control.

Assessment Results on testing CRF, Endurance, Flexibility, and Strength:

Mr. Conner has been inactive previously to coming into the health facility, starting out

slow and working up to the recommended level is advised. The standard exercise tests were used

with the consideration of potential for severe deconditioning and inactivity. Mr. Conner was
Unit8: Obesity and Diabetes 4

recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes; we had to consider his limitations problems, if any, like

orthopedic issues, or any form of neuropathy which can occur in diabetic clients (Howley, E, et

al, 2007).

Risk Factor and Precautions:

Being inactive and overweight can add stress to other part of the body. Other health

related issue can also pose as a problem for those with diabetes; hypertension,

hypercholesterolemia, coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive heart failure (CHF), stroke,

heart attack, osteoarthritis, and sleep apnea. It is estimated that more than 300,000 deaths occur

in the United States every year can be attributed to complications of obesity (Howley, E, et al,

2007, PP). With proper attention to nutrition and exercise Mr. Conner can live a healthier

lifestyle by making modification and following his physician’s recommendations.

Health and Lifestyle Behaviors:

Mr. Conner took the necessary steps by go to see his physician. Finding out that he

needed to make changes in his life to healthier ones, cutting his caloric intake, increasing his

exercise, keeping his diabetes under control, taking care of his feet, and being well monitored is

a great start. With the high stress Mr. Conner is under; taking up yoga, or some type of

meditation along with a weekly routine of continual exercise will reduce the stress in his life.

Nutrition:

One area of Mr. Conner’s life and the changes that need to happen for him is to get

healthier by changing his eating habits and planning his meals and snacks. With a person that has

diabetes in order to control their blood glucose levels it is important to remember to eat regularly

and often. Keeping track or writing in a journal of what he eats will help hold him accountable

for his actions. Having a support team to help him and to encourage him to make healthier
Unit8: Obesity and Diabetes 5

choices can give him motivation to lose weight the right way. Mr. Conner enrolled in the three

month program and weighed in at 265 lbs. and wanting to lose 10 to 15 pounds. By the end of

three months with regular exercise and changing to a low caloric intake of food (reducing his diet

to 800 kcal to 500 kcal can lead him to an average weight loss of 15 to 18 pounds (Howley, E, et

al, 2007, pg 317).

Readiness for Change/ Motivational Strategies:

The key to successful change is to determine what stage a person is in and then decide

what type of strategy to use to get to where that person wants to be with their fitness plan

(FTBW 2011). Knowing the implications of having diabetes and other health issue that may

occur having a plan of action in place will help Mr. Conner stay motivated to lose the weight he

needs for his health and lifestyle changes. Starting out slow and with fewer repetitions then

increasing weekly, along with changing the type of exercises can help Mr. Conner from being

bored or wanting to give up because it may be too hard or difficult.

Recommendations:

Taking time to plan out weekly meals, making a schedule and keeping track of the daily

activities will help Mr. Conner take accountability of the positive changes that will be taking

place regularly. By following the FITT principles and adding the frequency, intensity, time, and

type a little at time to his cardiovascular, muscular strength and endurance will ensure that Mr.

Conner will see the changes he is look for in his workout. When trying to figure out what type of

fitness plan is going to work he needs to try and be creative by putting a mix of exercises into it,

like physical activities as well as resistance training. Make it fun by creating a plan that will

make him feel good and want to work out. Different types of activities might include: walking

(briskly), jogging/running, stair climbing, aerobic dancing, and/or swimming. The more active
Unit8: Obesity and Diabetes 6

we are, the more efficient our systems become. The more inactive we are, our systems become

weakened and less proficient. By following the FITT exercise Mr. Conner can stay on course

with his weight lose and be successful at his new healthier lifestyle changes. Aerobic exercise

will assist in the decrease of heart disease, prevent and lower ones like low-density lipoprotein,

(LDL) the bad cholesterol. By having a moderate to active exercise will increase high-density

lipoprotein (HDL) the bad cholesterol. Exercise helps to lower blood pressure, lower body fat,

and improve muscles throughout the body.

Unit8: Obesity and Diabetes 7

References

Howley, E. Franks, B. D. (2007), Fitness professional handbook 5th edition; Human Kinetics.

Thygerson, A. & Thygerson, S. (2011), Fit to be well. Retrieved 07 January, 2013/ Sudbury,

MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.