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

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.
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-Although Brian has not gained weight recently, he remains slightly overweight. How many kcalories per gram does alcohol provide as a source of energy? ​

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Alcohol provides 7 kcalories per gram, which is more than carbohydrates and protein (4 kcal/g) but less than fat (9 kcal/g).

The best choice for Brian would be to decrease his alcohol consumption and increase his intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. He should also try to choose healthier snack options and limit his intake of high-fat, high-sodium foods. Regular exercise and weight lifting can also help improve his overall health, but he should start slowly and listen to his body to avoid muscle aches and injuries. Finally, given his family history of hypertension, he should be mindful of his blood pressure and consider getting regular check-ups to monitor his cardiovascular health.

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