Health Screening and History of an Adolescent or Young Adult Client - Essay Example

She reports some over-exertion on occasion while training, and some periods over vacations where she does little exercise, while on vacation, for example. She considers herself fit and strong for the most part, and evidence to support this is clear from her physical appearance. She is well-toned, and proportioned, with a good energy and open demeanor. Her ability to sustain high levels of mental and physical activity, particularly in the academic year, and during her training cycle, is further indication that she is healthy, overall.

Primarily her health is maintained through her exercise programs. However, she does not always ensure that her nutrition is suitable to this kind of exercise program. While aware of the connection between good health and lifestyle, she acknowledges that she does eat fast foods regularly, and does not always maintain regular meal intervals. The family has comprehensive health insurance, and she is covered well for any medical eventuality. The client has experienced no serious illnesses in her past, except for some childhood illnesses, and has torn an ankle ligament during training in the past, and ripped a thigh muscle, also during training.

Recovery was complete and within reasonable time. She does not suffer from any chronic condition, and has only incidental experience of influenza, or colds, not in any regular or ongoing pattern. Occasionally she does use over-the counter pain medication for infrequent headaches, and describes these as being due to heavy exercise routines, or intense academic work periods, when she does not sleep enough, or has strained her body and endurance. No allergies are evident. Family history does include cancer – the maternal grandmother succumbed to initial breast cancer.

Awareness in the client is heightened and supported by her mother, and they are checked by a physician regularly, together. Balance is lacking in her food intake. Despite her apparent physical strength and stamina, the maintenance of this condition is due to large intakes of fats and carbohydrates, with relatively lower intake of protein and vegetable matter. This may imply lower than acceptable mineral and vitamin intake (RDA, 2011, website), but her youth does tend to mask the lacking elements in an overall picture of health.

She has access to good nutrition at home, but excuses poor food choices by insisting that she has no time and needs to eat fast foods, so that she has time to complete all her activities. Her parents are busy, too, she reports, and thus the family seems not to consider their food too carefully. Fluid intake is reported to be high during training sessions, and consistent and regular during non-training. The client uses water only and does not use energy drinks, or supplement drinks, stating that she does not like them.

The client is taking in approximately 2200 calories daily, but it is likely from her reported meals’ composition that she is taking in too much fat, too much fatty acid, too much total carbohydrate and not enough protein and fiber (RDA, 2011, website). Nutrients are also likely to be below Recommended Daily Intake, especially given her training and exercise regime. She may in fact be in need of supplements in some form or another and be at risk for unstable blood glucose. The client is fairly regular in her sleep/wake patterns – she tends to be asleep by 10:30 p.m. and awakes no later than 7:30 a.m. On occasion, she reports, on the weekends, she may go to bed later, and