Question 1

All of the following are socioeconomic factors affecting hunger in the Unites States except

Accepted Answer

Weather is not a socioeconomic factor; it is an environmental factor. Socioeconomic factors relate to economic and social conditions, such as poverty, homelessness, and political influences.

Question 2

The homeless in the United States are at increased risk of undernutrition. Which of the following is true about the homeless?

Accepted Answer

While some homeless individuals may struggle with alcoholism or lack of education, it is not accurate or fair to assume that these traits apply to all homeless individuals. In fact, many homeless people are members of families, including children, who are at increased risk of undernutrition due to lack of access to food and resources. Therefore, choice C is the best answer.

Question 3

The "green revolution" was a

Accepted Answer

The "green revolution" was a movement that developed and promoted new agricultural practices and technologies that increased crop production and yields.

Question 4

Which of the following is not true about the history of nutrition assistance programs in the United States?

Accepted Answer

This statement is not true as food assistance programs developed in the 1960s and 1970s, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), are still relevant and in use today to address the issue of undernutrition in the United States.

Question 5

Which of the following is true about homelessness and undernutrition in America?

Accepted Answer

According to research and statistics, the recent increase in homelessness in America is mainly due to a shortage of affordable rental housing coupled with an increase in poverty. Both factors make it difficult for people to secure and maintain stable housing, leading to homelessness. Homelessness in America has not declined over the last 25 years; instead, it has increased by a significant margin. Homeless people often lack access to resources and struggle to meet basic needs such as food and shelter, meaning that undernutrition is a prevalent issue among this population. Homeless children are at increased risk of hunger and malnutrition due to food insecurity and limited access to healthy food options. Therefore, options A and B are false.

Question 6

The roots of undernutrition in the United States are mainly _______________, economic, and socioeconomic rather than technical. As policies of the federal government change, so does the problem of undernutrition.

Accepted Answer

The sentence states that the roots of undernutrition in the United States are mainly political, economic, and socioeconomic, indicating that political factors play a significant role in this issue. Therefore, option C is the correct answer. Options A and D are not mentioned in the sentence, and option B is incorrect as biological factors are not primarily responsible for undernutrition in the United States.

Question 7

All of the following are obstacles to solving problems of undernutrition in developing nations except

Accepted Answer

Lack of available technology that could be taught to the populations is not an obstacle to solving problems of undernutrition as there are many proven and effective technologies and approaches that could be implemented to tackle undernutrition, such as micronutrient supplementation, biofortification, and community-based growth monitoring and promotion. The other options are legitimate obstacles to solving problems of undernutrition in developing nations.

Question 8

Since the early 1900s, the role of the United States government in providing food assistance to the poor has steadily ____________________.

Accepted Answer

The sentence indicates that the role of the government in providing food assistance has "steadily" changed, suggesting a consistent trend over time. The word "decreased" would indicate a decline in government assistance, which is not supported by the context. Therefore, the best choice is B, increased.

Question 9

The Healthy Food Financing Initiative aims to eliminate the problem of

Accepted Answer

The Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) is a program designed to eliminate food deserts, which are areas with limited or no access to healthy and affordable food options. This initiative aims to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains in low-income and underserved communities. HFFI also supports the development of farmers' markets, grocery stores, and other food retail outlets in these communities, with the goal of improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities.

Question 10

Which of the following is not true regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)?

Accepted Answer

Although pregnant and lactating women and children are among the beneficiaries of SNAP, they are not the target beneficiaries. The program is meant to assist low-income individuals and families, including those who are elderly or disabled.

Question 11

All of the following adversely affect the food/population ratio except

Accepted Answer

Scientific advances that increase food production would actually improve the food/population ratio by increasing the amount of food available. Lack of birth control, lack of food distribution methods, and lack of farmable land would all negatively impact the ratio by either increasing the population without increasing food production or decreasing food production without decreasing the population.

Question 12

Which of the following factors will adversely affect the nutritional status of a country?

Accepted Answer

Movement of the population to urban centers can lead to a lack of access to affordable, nutritious food options, resulting in poor nutritional status. Urbanization can also lead to sedentary lifestyles and an increase in consumption of processed and unhealthy foods. The other choices do not necessarily have a direct impact on nutritional status.

Question 13

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

Accepted Answer

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides food vouchers and nutrition education to low-income pregnant and lactating women and their young children, with the goal of improving maternal and child health outcomes. It has been shown to be effective in reducing the incidence of low-birth-weight babies and improving nutrition and health outcomes for women and children who participate in the program.

Question 14

Approximately how many Americans live at or below the poverty level of $24,850 annually for a family of four?

Accepted Answer

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2019, approximately 34 million Americans lived at or below the poverty level for a family of four. However, this number may have increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact. Therefore, the best choice is D, 45 million, as it provides a larger estimate to account for the current circumstances.

Question 15

The food assistance program developed in the 1960s to help whole families purchase healthy foods is the

Accepted Answer

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was developed in the 1960s to help whole families purchase healthy foods. The School Breakfast Program and School Lunch Program provide free or reduced-price meals to children in schools, while the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children provides food assistance specifically to pregnant women, new mothers, and young children.

Question 16

The major cause of undernutrition in the United States is

Accepted Answer

The United States is one of the few developed countries where undernutrition is still a major problem, and the main cause of this is political. Many people in the United States struggle with food insecurity due to poverty, lack of access to healthy foods, and inadequate government assistance programs. While food production and technological advances certainly play a role in addressing this issue, without addressing the systemic inequities and political barriers that contribute to undernutrition, these solutions alone will not be enough. The inadequate use of biotechnology is not a significant factor in undernutrition in the US.

Question 17

Elements that adversely influence the food/population ratio include all of the following except

Accepted Answer

Enhancing access to education for women actually has a positive impact on the food/population ratio by empowering women to take on leadership roles and contribute to agricultural productivity. On the other hand, war and political/civil unrest, rapid depletion of natural resources, and AIDS all negatively impact the food/population ratio by causing food shortages, displacement of populations, and decreased agricultural productivity.

Question 18

____________ is a form of undernutrition caused by an extremely deficient intake of calories, protein, or both. Two examples of this type of malnutrition are kwashiorkor and marasmus.

Accepted Answer

Protein-energy malnutrition refers to a lack of adequate intake of both protein and calories, leading to a range of health problems. Kwashiorkor is a type of protein-energy malnutrition that mainly affects young children and is characterized by a swollen belly, skin rash, and other symptoms. Marasmus is another type of protein-energy malnutrition that is characterized by severe wasting and a very low body weight for one's age. Neither anorexia nor scurvy are specific types of malnutrition caused by an inadequate intake of calories and protein. Anorexia may lead to malnutrition and scurvy is caused by a deficiency in vitamin C.

Question 19

A promising strategy to help other countries increase food resources has been

Accepted Answer

The "green revolution" technologies have been successful in increasing crop yields in many countries, including India and Mexico, which has helped to alleviate hunger and improve nutrition. These technologies include the use of high-yield crop varieties, irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides. They have also led to increased mechanization and improved infrastructure. Implementing these technologies requires investments in agriculture, education, and research, but the benefits can be significant.

Question 20

The root cause of hunger and undernutrition in the United States continues to be _______________.

Accepted Answer

Poverty is the root cause of hunger and undernutrition in the United States as many people cannot afford to buy enough food, which in turn affects their nutritional status. Homelessness and overpopulation can contribute to poverty but are not the sole cause of hunger and undernutrition. Increased life expectancy does not directly relate to hunger and undernutrition.

Quiz 12: Undernutrition Throughout the World