Deck 3: Ways of Knowing About Nutrition

Question 1

A hypothesis is a statement that can be proved or disproved by research.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Epidemiological studies prove cause-and-effect relationships.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Which of the following is a nonprofit, professional health organization?

A) American Heart Association
B) National Academy of Sciences
C) American Society for Nutrition
D) National Institutes of Health
E) Centers for Disease Control

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Nutrition research is only conducted by people or companies that do not have a stake in the results.

Question 5

A DTR can order therapeutic diets, and monitor and manage dietary plans for patients.

Question 6

The American Cancer Society is a reliable source of nutrition information.

Question 7

Subjects in a study who receive the treatment being tested are said to be in the control group.

Question 8

In scientific research, subjects in a study who do not receive the active treatment are said to be in the experimental group.

Question 9

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has the authority to censor television reports and Internet articles making misleading claims.

Question 10

Registered, licensed, or certified dietitians or nutritionists are reliable sources of nutrition information.

Question 11

Associations prove that one condition causes an event.

Question 12

The first part of a research process entails recruiting subjects.

Question 13

The most reliable sources of nutrition information are those developed by government health agencies and educational institutions.

Question 14

What is the role of institutional review boards?

A) They review and evaluate the hypotheses for research studies.
B) They evaluate the findings of research studies.
C) They design research studies.
D) They review and approve research studies that involve human subjects.
E) They choose the topics for research studies.

Question 15

The number of subjects needed for a study _____.

A) is determined by a mathematical formula and should be as small as possible
B) should be large enough to exclude differences between the control and experimental groups due to chance
C) should be kept small so that the data are manageable and there is less room for statistical error
D) is determined by a mathematical formula and should be large enough to exclude differences between the control and experimental groups due to chance
E) is determined by randomization and, therefore, can be scaled as needed

Question 16

In epidemiological studies, researchers identify conditions that are related to specific health events in humans.

Question 17

Although it is misleading and fraudulent for a tabloid article or an Internet site to make false claims, it is not illegal.

Question 18

In a clinical trial, the active treatment given to the subjects is called a placebo.

Question 19

It is illegal to put false or misleading information about a product in a product insert.

Question 20

In a double-blind study, the researchers know which subjects are receiving the placebo but the subjects do not.

Question 21

Which of the following websites would likely be the most reliable source of information on the Internet?

A) webmd.com
B) answers.com
C) cbsnews.com
D) doctoroz.com
E) nih.gov

Question 22

Which individual is considered an alternative health practitioner?

A) RDN
B) iridologist
C) radiologist
D) oncologist
E) hematologist

Question 23

The statement "Low vegetables and fruits intake is related to the development of cancer" is an example of _____.

A) statistical significance
B) an association
C) cause and effect
D) a control effect
E) a hypothesis

Question 24

What is the last step in a research process before a paper is submitted?

A) Evaluate the findings.
B) State the hypothesis.
C) Design the research.
D) Implement the study design.
E) Pose a clear question.

Question 25

Decisions about personal nutrition should be based on _____.

A) trial and error
B) recommendations from family and friends
C) recommendations from others who experience similar health problems
D) trends seen in the food and nutrition industry
E) accumulated evidence that is broadly supported by nutrition and other scientists

Question 26

Which government agency has the authority to remove advertisements that make false claims from the airwaves and the Internet?

A) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
B) Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
C) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
D) U.S. Postal Service (USPS)
E) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Question 27

What qualification(s) should an RD have?

A) a baccalaureate degree only
B) an associate's degree only
C) the successful completion of a national registration examination with or without a degree
D) a doctorate degree and at least two certifications
E) a baccalaureate degree and the successful completion of a national registration examination

Question 28

Which situation most likely confuses consumers about nutrition?

A) nutrition information obtained from a hospital pamphlet
B) study-by-study coverage of nutrition news
C) nutrition report published by the American Society for Nutrition
D) a report from the Surgeon General
E) advice published by the American Heart Association

Question 29

In double-blind study, _____.

A) neither the subjects nor the scientists know which subjects are receiving the active treatment and which are receiving the placebo
B) the scientists know which subjects are receiving the placebo but the subjects do not
C) both the subjects and the scientists know which subjects are receiving the active treatment and which are receiving the placebo
D) both the subjects and the scientists know which subjects are receiving the placebo
E) only the subjects know the types of treatment they are receiving

Question 30

Statistical tests _____.

A) tell us whether the differences between groups are in all probability real or due to coincidence
B) make it hard to determine what the research findings mean
C) identify significant differences between the findings from the experimental and control groups
D) tell us about the similarities between groups by focusing on finding identical results among participants in the experimental group
E) tell us whether the differences between groups are in all probability real or due to coincidence and identify significant differences between the findings from the experimental and control groups

Question 31

A college student who has been feeling fatigued decides to take an energy-boosting supplement advertised on a television infomercial and endorsed by a professional athlete. She reports being more energetic after taking the supplement but later discovers that the supplement is only made of sugar. The student most likely experienced _____.

A) the effectiveness of the energy supplement working on her body
B) the placebo effect
C) an increase in nerve impulse velocity caused by the sugar tablet
D) an increase in blood pressure
E) a decrease in blood pressure

Question 32

A study in which neither the subjects participating in the research nor the scientists performing the research know which subjects are receiving the treatment and which are getting the placebo is known as a(n) _____ study.

A) double-blind
B) half-blind
C) confidential
D) crossover
E) observational

Question 33

Which of the following is a reliable source of nutrition information?

A) a natural grocery store pamphlet
B) a diet book
C) a nutrition textbook
D) a person on the ketone diet
E) a pharmaceutical advertisement

Question 34

It is illegal to put misleading nutrition information about a product in a(n) _____.

A) magazine article
B) newspaper article
C) Internet article
D) television program
E) advertisement

Question 35

Reliable nutrition and health online sources include _____.

A) a private company that sells high-quality nutritional supplements
B) a professional trainer who has "scientifically proven" specialized weight loss supplements for sale on a website
C) students who use university web servers to promote health products
D) an online advertisement that uses the picture of a professional football player to endorse its product
E) a trainer having a popular YouTube channel with exercise videos

Question 36

Which of the following is the first step in planning a research study?

A) obtaining informed consent from human subjects
B) stating the hypothesis to be tested
C) implementing the study design
D) designing the research
E) posing a clear question

Question 37

Which individual would be the most reliable source for nutrition information?

A) a student who took nutrition classes and calls himself a nutritionist
B) a registered dietitian working in a clinical setting
C) an Internet blogger with great advice on dietary supplements
D) a salesperson at a dietary supplement store
E) an aerobics instructor working at a health club

Question 38

Which term in an advertisement should raise a red flag as to the validity of the product?

A) clinical
B) diagnosis
C) medical
D) detoxify
E) treatment

Question 39

All clinical trials require _____.

A) over 100 subjects
B) the participation of both men and women
C) an experimental group and a control group
D) higher statistically significant results compared to other types of research
E) the supervision of a university professor

Question 40

The nutritional cures used by alternative nutrition practitioners _____.

A) usually do not have any side effects
B) are always safe to use
C) are often not based on evidence provided by scientific studies
D) have been researched extensively and proven effective
E) are effective if used properly

Question 41

Brandon is a college junior who has been working out and has become interested in supplementing his diet to enhance his strength and gain more muscle mass. His friends tell him about several weight gain supplements. One of the supplements is called "Muscle Mass Magic." It has also been heavily advertised on Internet sites and in some popular fitness magazines. The product has also been endorsed by a professional wrestler and football player who said, "It worked for me; it will work for you." Brandon is interested in trying the product and makes a trip to his local dietary supplement store. After talking with a store employee, who calls himself a nutritionist, Brandon decides "Muscle Mass Magic" is the perfect product to help him reach his fitness goals. After returning home and examining the product's label further, Brandon realizes that there are several ingredients in the supplement of which he is uncertain. What should Brandon do before taking the supplement?

A) He should discuss the product with a registered dietitian.
B) He should return to the supplement store and discuss the product with the store nutritionist.
C) He should read and follow the instructions on how to safely use the product.
D) He should research the product safety information on Internet websites that sell the product.
E) He should read reviews about the product on the Internet.

Question 42

Bogus nutrition products should be reported to _____.

A) your professor
B) the retail location from where they were purchased
C) the Federal Trade Commission
D) the U.S. Department of Agriculture
E) the manufacturer

Question 43

Brandon is a college junior who has been working out and has become interested in supplementing his diet to enhance his strength and gain more muscle mass. His friends tell him about several weight gain supplements. One of the supplements is called  " Muscle Mass Magic. "  It has also been heavily advertised on Internet sites and in some popular fitness magazines. The product has also been endorsed by a professional wrestler and football player who said,  " It worked for me; it will work for you . "  Brandon is interested in trying the product and makes a trip to his local dietary supplement store. After talking with a store employee, who calls himself a nutritionist, Brandon decides  " Muscle Mass Magic "  is the perfect product to help him reach his fitness goals. After returning home and examining the product ' s label further, Brandon realizes that there are several ingredients in the supplement of which he is uncertain.
In the future, how might Brandon better research a product's safety before using it?

A) Discuss the product's safety with the supplement store's nutritionist.
B) Discuss the product with a registered dietitian.
C) Read peer-reviewed research about the product's safety and effectiveness.
D) Discuss the product's safety with the supplement store's nutritionist or a registered dietician.
E) Discuss the product with a registered dietitian and read peer-reviewed research about the product's safety and effectiveness.

Question 45

Brandon is a college junior who has been working out and has become interested in supplementing his diet to enhance his strength and gain more muscle mass. His friends tell him about several weight gain supplements. One of the supplements is called  " Muscle Mass Magic. "  It has also been heavily advertised on Internet sites and in some popular fitness magazines. The product has also been endorsed by a professional wrestler and football player who said,  " It worked for me; it will work for you . "  Brandon is interested in trying the product and makes a trip to his local dietary supplement store. After talking with a store employee, who calls himself a nutritionist, Brandon decides  " Muscle Mass Magic "  is the perfect product to help him reach his fitness goals. After returning home and examining the product ' s label further, Brandon realizes that there are several ingredients in the supplement of which he is uncertain.
Advertisements that use the professional football player and wrestler to endorse the product are _____.

A) breaking the law by misleading consumers
B) using testimonials to promote the product
C) a guarantee to consumers that the product will work
D) showing that the product is safe to use
E) proof that the sports stars are using the product themselves

Question 46

Brandon is a college junior who has been working out and has become interested in supplementing his diet to enhance his strength and gain more muscle mass. His friends tell him about several weight gain supplements. One of the supplements is called  " Muscle Mass Magic. "  It has also been heavily advertised on Internet sites and in some popular fitness magazines. The product has also been endorsed by a professional wrestler and football player who said,  " It worked for me; it will work for you . "  Brandon is interested in trying the product and makes a trip to his local dietary supplement store. After talking with a store employee, who calls himself a nutritionist, Brandon decides  " Muscle Mass Magic "  is the perfect product to help him reach his fitness goals. After returning home and examining the product ' s label further, Brandon realizes that there are several ingredients in the supplement of which he is uncertain.
The label of "Muscle Mass Magic" states, "This product safely increases lean body mass by 25% in the first seven weeks of use." Why is this statement problematic?

A) People may believe the claim even though it is questionable.
B) Freedom of speech applies to product labels.
C) It is likely that no reliable research has been conducted to prove that body mass will increase by 25% in the first seven weeks.
D) Some reliable research is likely to have been conducted, but this is not clearly stated on its website.
E) People may believe the claim even though the claim is questionable and it is likely that no reliable research has been conducted to prove that body mass will increase by 25% in the first seven weeks.

Question 47

Brandon is a college junior who has been working out and has become interested in supplementing his diet to enhance his strength and gain more muscle mass. His friends tell him about several weight gain supplements. One of the supplements is called  " Muscle Mass Magic. "  It has also been heavily advertised on Internet sites and in some popular fitness magazines. The product has also been endorsed by a professional wrestler and football player who said,  " It worked for me; it will work for you . "  Brandon is interested in trying the product and makes a trip to his local dietary supplement store. After talking with a store employee, who calls himself a nutritionist, Brandon decides  " Muscle Mass Magic "  is the perfect product to help him reach his fitness goals. After returning home and examining the product ' s label further, Brandon realizes that there are several ingredients in the supplement of which he is uncertain.
After researching the product online, Brandon decides that the product is safe to use. He tries the product and ends up experiencing mood swings and gastric distress for several days. What should Brandon do?

A) Take the product back to the supplement store and demand his money back.
B) Take legal actions against his friends for encouraging him to use a dangerous product.
C) Take legal actions against the manufacturer of the supplement.
D) Contact the Federal Trade Commission and register a complaint.
E) Stop taking the product and do nothing. He was the one who made the mistake of trying the product in the first place.

Question 48

An approval to study human subjects must be obtained from the _____.

A) research subjects
B) institutional review board
C) FTC
D) FDA
E) USDA

Question 49

The group of subjects that receives a placebo as a part of the research is called the _____ group.

A) experimental
B) placebo
C) control
D) hypothesis
E) epidemiology

Question 50

Identify the reasons why Americans may believe highly questionable claims about nutrition-related products and be willing to buy and try the products.

Question 51

What process do studies undergo prior to publication in scientific journals?

A) peer review
B) literature review
C) clinical review
D) institutional review
E) scientific consensus

Question 52

Research that seeks to identify conditions related to particular events within a population is called a(n) _____.

A) epidemiological study
B) meta-analysis
C) double-blind study
D) clinical trial
E) literature review

Question 53

What is the most important, and often the most time-consuming, part of an entire research process?

A) planning
B) establishing a hypothesis
C) recruiting subjects
D) submitting the paper for publication
E) statistical analysis

Question 54

Which criteria should you look for to identify reliable nutrition information?

A) a scientific breakthrough
B) "before and after" pictures
C) a money-back guarantee
D) facts and evidence
E) terms such as "studies prove"

Question 55

Brandon is a college junior who has been working out and has become interested in supplementing his diet to enhance his strength and gain more muscle mass. His friends tell him about several weight gain supplements. One of the supplements is called  " Muscle Mass Magic. "  It has also been heavily advertised on Internet sites and in some popular fitness magazines. The product has also been endorsed by a professional wrestler and football player who said,  " It worked for me; it will work for you . "  Brandon is interested in trying the product and makes a trip to his local dietary supplement store. After talking with a store employee, who calls himself a nutritionist, Brandon decides  " Muscle Mass Magic "  is the perfect product to help him reach his fitness goals. After returning home and examining the product ' s label further, Brandon realizes that there are several ingredients in the supplement of which he is uncertain.
Why should consumers be suspicious of the product?

A) The name implies that the product has magical properties but doesn't sound like it works.
B) The product or service does not offer a money-back guarantee.
C) It is impossible to gain muscle mass using supplements.
D) There is no obvious reason to be suspicious about the supplement's name.
E) The name implies that the product has magical properties, and it sounds too good to be true.

Question 56

Research designs are often based on the answers to specific questions including _____.

A) "Should a placebo be used?"
B) "What information needs to be collected?"
C) "What is the easiest way to collect the needed information?"
D) "What significant information will get the study published?"
E) "Is the supplement given to the subjects safe?"