Dietary intervention and lifestyle in distinct clinical contexts: a comparative case study of lactose intolerance and obesity
Dietary intervention and lifestyle in distinct clinical contexts: a comparative case study of lactose intolerance and obesity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51473/rcmos.v1i1.2026.1971Keywords:
Nutritional assessment, Lifestyle, Diet therapyAbstract
Diseases related to inadequate dietary patterns and lifestyle represent a major challenge in contemporary public health and are linked to the increasing burden of non-communicable chronic diseases. Lactose intolerance and obesity are distinct conditions from a pathophysiological standpoint, yet both are often associated with unhealthy eating habits. This study aimed to comparatively analyze the effects of simple, structured dietary and lifestyle interventions on the clinical and nutritional outcomes of two adult patients with different diagnoses: lactose intolerance and grade II obesity. This comparative case study was conducted in a Nutrition Teaching Clinic, including anthropometric, dietary and clinical assessment, followed by individualized diet therapy and follow-up (≈54 days). Despite different diagnoses, both patients initially showed similar behavioral and dietary patterns (sedentary lifestyle, disorganized meal schedules, low intake of unprocessed foods and frequent consumption of refined/ultra-processed items). After the intervention, gastrointestinal symptoms markedly improved in the lactose intolerance case, while clinical and anthropometric indicators improved in the obesity case. These findings suggest that simple, structured dietary changes supported by nutrition education can produce meaningful clinical benefits regardless of the underlying condition.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Cassia da Silva Faria (Autor)
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