Questions: Case Study: Obesity (adapted from ACSM's Certification Review) Bob is a relatively sedentary, 37 -yr-old, Caucasian male. He has been married for 9 years and has two daughter ages 7 and 5 years. He has a Master's degree in Chemistry and worked in laboratory research for 5 years before beginning his current position as a sales representative for a major pharmaceutical company, which he has been with for the past 7 years. Bob's clients are hospital physicians in a major metropolitan city with a population of approximately 5 million. He finds the job to be enjoyable, yet stressful. A typical work day involves approximately 2 hours of driving, meeting with physicians 3-4 hours (where he is sitting), and 3-4 hours of work on the computer. He entertains clients at restaurant lunch and dinner meetings approximately 4 times per week. Weekends typically require another 5-6 hours of computer work at home, He typically gets no more than 6 hours of sleep each night. When Bob was in college, his height and weight were 167.5 cm and 105.7 kg, respectively. He was a recreationally competitive runner, training 30-40 miles/week, with a best 5-km race time if 18: 30. His body fat was 10%. Since his graduation from college, he has not been involved in any regular physical activity and has gradually put on weight.

To effectively work with Bob on addressing his obesity and overall health, several key pieces of information from the case study are important to consider:

1. Current Lifestyle and Job Demands:

   • Sedentary Nature: Bob's job involves a significant amount of sitting, both while driving and working on the computer. This sedentary lifestyle is a critical factor contributing to his weight gain.
   • Work-Related Stress: Bob finds his job enjoyable but stressful. Stress can contribute to weight gain and other health issues, so managing stress will be an important aspect of his health plan.
   • Eating Habits: Bob entertains clients at restaurants for lunch and dinner approximately four times a week. This likely involves consuming high-calorie meals, which can contribute to weight gain.
   • Sleep Patterns: Bob typically gets no more than six hours of sleep each night. Insufficient sleep is associated with weight gain and other health problems.

2. Physical Activity History:

   • Past Activity Level: In college, Bob was a recreationally competitive runner, training 30-40 miles per week. This indicates that he has a history of being physically active and may have a good understanding of exercise principles.
   • Current Inactivity: Since graduation, Bob has not been involved in any regular physical activity, which has contributed to his weight gain.

3. Body Measurements and Changes:

   • Height and Weight: Bob's height is 167.5 cm, and his weight in college was 105.7 kg. His weight has likely increased since then, given his sedentary lifestyle and eating habits.
   • Body Fat Percentage: In college, his body fat was 10%. This is a useful baseline to understand his previous fitness level and to set realistic goals for body composition changes.

4. Family and Social Context:

   • Family Responsibilities: Bob has been married for nine years and has two young daughters. His family responsibilities and time constraints need to be considered when designing a fitness and nutrition plan.
   • Social Eating: The social aspect of his job, which involves frequent dining out, will need to be addressed to help him make healthier food choices.

By considering these factors, a comprehensive plan can be developed that addresses Bob's physical activity, nutrition, stress management, and sleep patterns. This plan should be realistic and tailored to fit his lifestyle and responsibilities.