Brian is a 21-year-old Caucasian student who is in his last year of college. Though he is a good student, it has been Brian's practice since freshman year to binge drink on weekends, typically consuming more than a six-pack of beer on Friday and Saturday nights. Brian is 5'11" tall; has weighed about the same, 195 lbs., for the past few years; and is fairly muscular and athletic in his build. He eats most meals in the cafeteria, but despite access to homemade foods, he eats few vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and his diet is high in fat and salt. The only snacks he consumes are from the vending machine, and he usually washes down a bag of corn chips with a soda or grabs a burger, fries, and beer when out on weekends. He doesn't take any medications and has no significant medical history. A recent physical examination in preparation for basketball season revealed no remarkable physical findings except muscle aches since restarting weight lifting and new-onset stomach pain, which the doctor assesses to be gastritis. A lipid profile found his triglycerides and VLDL cholesterol to be elevated. His blood pressure is slightly elevated. He has a family history of hypertension, stroke, and alcohol abuse.
Although Brian has not gained weight recently, he remains slightly overweight. How many kcalories per gram does alcohol provide as a source of energy?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Alcohol provides 7 kcalories per gram of energy, which is more than carbohydrates and proteins (4 kcalories per gram) but less than fat (9 kcalories per gram).

The best choices for Brian would be:
1. Reduce or eliminate binge drinking on weekends to improve his overall health and reduce the risk of alcohol abuse in the future.
2. Increase his intake of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains to improve the nutritional quality of his diet and reduce the intake of fat and salt.
3. Choose healthier snacks, such as fruits, nuts, or yogurt, instead of the high-fat and high-salt options from vending machines.
4. Incorporate regular physical activity into his routine to manage his weight and improve his overall health, as well as reduce muscle aches caused by weight lifting.
5. Consider medication or lifestyle changes to manage his elevated triglycerides, VLDL cholesterol, and slightly elevated blood pressure, especially given his family history of hypertension and stroke.

Brian Is a 21-Year-Old Caucasian Student Who Is in His