Mrs. Walan is a 65-year-old female with a 47-year history of smoking two packs of cigarettes a day. She quit smoking 1 year ago when she was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). At the time of diagnosis, she was referred to a registered dietitian but didn't feel the need to follow through with the consult because her appetite and weight were "fine." Recently, Mrs. Walan was placed on 1 liter of oxygen daily (through a nasal cannula) because of increased dyspnea (shortness of breath). Her current anthropometric measurements include a height of 5 feet 3 inches and a weight of 103 pounds. Her weight 3 months ago was 112 pounds, and her current physical activity level is almost completely sedentary. Mrs. Walan attends congregate meals daily for lunch at her local senior center, where a registered dietitian is available on a monthly basis for consults. Her friends at the senior center have commented several times on her decreased food intake at lunch and her apparent weight loss.
1. How would a referral to a registered dietitian benefit Mrs. Walan?
2. What is Mrs. Walan's ideal body weight?
3. What nutrition concerns do you have for Mrs. Walan?