Atkins or ‘Fadkins’? by Karen E. Bledsoe

Part IV – Summary Essay

Now that you’ve explored some answers to questions that came up during your conversations with Janine and Mitchell, give Mitchell the advice you think he needs. Throughout this case you’ve been exploring homeostasis in weight change and hormone systems, so be sure you thoroughly discuss homeostasis of these systems in your response. Janine had concerns about Mitchell’s body image, so discuss body image and factors affecting both actual weight and perceived body size in your response. Include the information that you’ve collected about: proteins, carbs, and fats; obesity and body image; hormonal control of blood sugar levels, water balance, and appetite; possible effects of low-carb diets on the brain and the kidneys; a definition of metabolism and what controls it. Finally, state your advice about what Mitchell should do, if anything, about his diet.


Originally published at http://www.sciencecases.org/atkins/case4.asp

Copyright © 1999–2009 by the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science.  Please see our usage guidelines, which outline our policy concerning permissible reproduction of this work.