Textbook Problem

About to turn 81, Elizabeth Wetter is 5 ft 6 in. tall and weighs 106 lb. She has had Parkinson’s disease for 5 years, but that is not what concerns her. Her problem is pain from arthritis and lack of energy. She saw an ad on television for a vitamin- mineral supplement with ginseng that promises “more energy.” Her son also told her to take a liquid dietary supplement to “feel better.” Eighteen months ago, she had successful surgery for colon cancer, which was followed by chemotherapy treatments. She is now free of cancer. After the cancer treatment, she fell and broke a hip. This healed well, but serious leg pains started shortly afterward. There seems to be no cause for the pain, and a cure is unavailable. She is no longer able to take her walks through the neighborhood or tend her prize-winning garden. She would like to weigh 118 pounds again (her “usual”) and is seeking nutritional counseling to try to regain some of her energy.

What are some of the nutritional issues faced by Ms. Wetter? (Hint: Calculate her current weight compared to her usual body weight as a percentage.)