In this video a 12 year old girl, Briana, is struggling with morbid obesity. She weighs over 300 pounds. She has been told that being this overweight will affect her health. She also feels very self-conscious about her weight and is bullied by her classmates. Briana’s parents express concern about her health as well. When her mother is interviewed about what food she serves the family she appears to be very interested in making any necessary changes. A trip to the market to find out what she purchases for family meals reveals that she does not seem to know what would be best to prepare for Briana so she can lose weight. Briana’s mother appears to be “stuck” on buying what she thinks are healthy foods which includes canned vegetables and very little fresh fruit and vegetables.
Here is the link to the video, “A 12 Year Old’s Struggle with Morbid Obesity”
Describe how Briana’s mother should change meal preparations to be healthier. Describe strategies that might engage Briana in the process of preparing the meals.
Please make an initial post by midweek, and respond to at least two other student’s posts with substantial details that demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and critical thinking. Remember that your posts must exhibit appropriate writing mechanics including using proper language, cordiality, and proper grammar and punctuation. If you refer to any outside sources or reference materials, be sure to provide proper attribution and/or citation.
To help Briana’s mother change meal preparations to be healthier and engage Briana in the process of preparing meals, the following strategies can be implemented:
- Educating on Balanced Nutrition: Briana’s mother should learn about the fundamentals of a balanced diet that includes all the necessary nutrients. This will involve teaching her about portion sizes, macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats), and the importance of incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats into their meals.
- Meal Planning: Create a meal plan together as a family, ensuring it is well-balanced and meets Briana’s nutritional needs. Involve Briana in the process by discussing her preferences, exploring new healthy recipes, and encouraging her to share her input and ideas. This will make her feel more engaged and invested in the meal preparation.
- Increasing Fresh Produce: Encourage Briana’s mother to focus on purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables instead of relying heavily on canned vegetables. Fresh produce provides more nutrients and tastes better. Take Briana to the grocery store and involve her in the selection process, teaching her about different fruits and vegetables, their benefits, and how to incorporate them into meals.
- Healthy Cooking Techniques: Teach Briana’s mother about healthy cooking techniques such as steaming, grilling, baking, or stir-frying, which can help reduce the need for excessive oil or unhealthy ingredients. Encourage her to experiment with herbs, spices, and seasonings to enhance the flavor of meals without relying on unhealthy additives like salt or sugar.
- Portion Control: Educate Briana’s mother about the importance of portion control to manage Briana’s calorie intake. Teach her about appropriate serving sizes and how to read food labels to determine the nutritional content of packaged foods. Encourage her to serve meals on smaller plates to create the illusion of a fuller plate and to help control portion sizes.
- Balanced Meal Components: Help Briana’s mother understand the importance of including a source of lean protein (such as skinless poultry, fish, legumes, or tofu), complex carbohydrates (whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, or whole wheat bread), and healthy fats (avocado, nuts, seeds, or olive oil) in each meal. This will ensure that Briana receives all the necessary nutrients while feeling satisfied.
- Meal Preparation as a Family: Encourage Briana to actively participate in meal preparation. Assign her age-appropriate tasks like washing vegetables, stirring ingredients, or assembling salads. This will not only help her develop essential cooking skills but also create a sense of accomplishment and ownership over the meals.
- Reinforce Positive Habits: Celebrate small victories and positive changes in Briana’s eating habits and weight management. Provide positive reinforcement to encourage her to continue making healthier choices. This can be done through verbal praise, rewards that are not food-related, or engaging in fun physical activities as a family.
It is crucial to approach these strategies with sensitivity, empathy, and a focus on overall health rather than solely on weight loss. Encouraging a positive body image and promoting a healthy relationship with food are important aspects of helping Briana achieve long-term success in her journey towards a healthier lifestyle.