Question 1

Phil is a participant in a study designed to examine the effects of taking a dietary supplement on muscle tissue development.Phil suspects he is in the experimental group,because he is certain his muscles are bigger and stronger as a result of taking the product supplied by the researchers.When the study is completed,Phil learns that he did not receive the dietary supplement.Phil thinks the researchers made a mistake-he is certain his muscle mass increased while he took the supplement.According to this information,Phil's belief that his physical condition improved while he participated in the study is an example of ________.
A)the placebo effect
B)an anecdotal report
C)human subject bias
D)participant fatigue

Accepted Answer

Phil's belief that his physical condition improved while he participated in the study, despite not actually receiving the dietary supplement, is an example of the placebo effect. The placebo effect occurs when participants in a study experience changes in their condition, either positive or negative, as a result of their beliefs or expectations about the treatment, rather than the treatment itself. In this case, Phil believed he was receiving a supplement that would improve his muscle mass, and his belief alone may have led to changes in his muscle tissue.

Question 2

Which of the following observations is an example of a negative correlation?
A)When a group of adults increases their intake of fruits and vegetables,the percentage of people in the group who have high blood levels of vitamin C levels increases.
B)When a group of people decreases their physical activity levels,the percentage of people in the group with healthy levels of body fat decreases.
C)When a group of older adults increases their intake of high-fiber foods,the percentage of people in the group who develop intestinal cancer decreases.
D)When a group of children eat more sugary foods,the percentage of children in the group who develop two or more decayed teeth increases.

Accepted Answer

A negative correlation occurs when one variable increases and the other decreases. In option C, as the intake of high-fiber foods increases, the percentage of people developing intestinal cancer decreases, indicating a negative correlation.

Question 3

Emily has brittle fingernails that crack and split easily.Emily's mother advises her daughter to take gelatin pills 3 times/day,because she has heard the practice strengthens fingernails.The mother's nutrition-related advice about the benefit of taking gelatin pills is an example of a(n)
A)hypothesis.
B)testimonial.
C)anecdote.
D)placebo.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Emily has brittle fingernails that crack and...

Question 4

A researcher wants to identify lifestyle factors that increase the risk of stomach cancer in men.His study design involves enrolling 250 adult men who have stomach cancer,and 250 men who are cancer-free,but have similar characteristics and backgrounds as the men who have stomach cancer.The researcher collects and analyzes information about each participant's lifestyle.Based on this information,what kind of study is the researcher conducting?
A)Case-control study
B)Cohort study
C)Experimental study
D)In vivo study

Accepted Answer

The researcher is enrolling participants who have already developed stomach cancer (cases) and comparing them to a group of individuals who do not have stomach cancer (controls). This type of study is a case-control study, which is used to identify risk factors for a disease or condition. The researcher is not actively manipulating any variables, so it is not an experimental study. In vivo studies involve testing on living organisms or cells, which is not indicated in this scenario. A cohort study would involve enrolling a group of individuals without the disease and following them over time to see who develops the disease, which is not the design described here.

Question 5

Zack takes 500 mg of vitamin C daily.He advises his friends to take vitamin C supplements because,he claims,the vitamin protects him from cold viruses.His claim about the usefulness of the vitamin is an ________.
A)in vivo report
B)in vitro assumption
C)introspection
D)anecdote

Accepted Answer

Zack's claim is based on his personal experience and is not supported by scientific evidence, making it an anecdote.

Question 6

A group of scientists would like to determine lifestyle factors that are associated with the development of asthma among American children.Based on this information,the researchers should design a(n) _____ study.
A)conventional
B)in vivo
C)double-blind
D)epidemiological

Accepted Answer

An epidemiological study is specifically designed to investigate the patterns and causes of health and disease conditions in defined populations. As the researchers in this scenario are interested in determining the lifestyle factors that may contribute to the development of asthma in American children, an epidemiological study would be the appropriate type of study for this purpose.

Question 7

Which of the following observations is an example of a positive correlation?
A)When teenage girls increase their intake of iron-rich foods,the percentage of the girls who have iron deficiency decreases.
B)When a population consumes more fruits and vegetables,the percentage of people in that population with scurvy decreases.
C)When older adults increase their daily intake of vitamin D,the percentage of the adults that develops infections decreases.
D)When a group of 6-year-old children increase their physical activity level to 60 minutes a day,the children's muscle mass increases.

Accepted Answer

Option D states that when a group of 6-year-old children increase their physical activity level to 60 minutes a day, their muscle mass increases. This is an example of a positive correlation because an increase in physical activity is associated with an increase in muscle mass.

Question 8

Which of the following observations is an example of a positive correlation?
A)When a population's vitamin D intake decreases,the percentage of people in the population that have healthy immune systems decreases.
B)When a population's intake of plant foods decreases,the percentage of obese people in that population increases.
C)When a population's level of vitamin C in white blood cells increases,the percentage of people in the population who develop scurvy decreases.
D)When a population's level of physical activity increases,the percentage of people who develop heart disease decreases.

Accepted Answer

In a positive correlation, both variables move in the same direction. In choice A, as vitamin D intake decreases, the percentage of people with healthy immune systems also decreases, indicating a positive correlation.

Question 9

Having a control group enables researchers to
A)provide specific treatments to participants of the group.
B)compare findings of the control group with those of the experimental group.
C)avoid using harmful interventions when testing control subjects' responses.
D)explore possible hypotheses for future research efforts.

Accepted Answer

Having a control group allows researchers to compare the findings of the control group with those of the experimental group, which helps determine the effectiveness of the treatment being studied. This comparison helps establish the cause-and-effect relationship between the independent variable (treatment) and the dependent variable (outcome). Without a control group, it would be difficult to establish this relationship or rule out alternative explanations for the findings.

Question 10

Scientists in a Central American country are studying factors that may be associated with delayed physical growth among a group of low-income children.The children live in a region of the nation that has high levels of lead in drinking water.This study is an example of a(an)________ study.
A)epidemiological
B)uncontrollable
C)introspective
D)conventional

Accepted Answer

This study is investigating the relationship between exposure to lead in drinking water and delayed physical growth among a group of children. Epidemiological studies are focused on understanding the distribution and determinants of health and disease within populations, making it the best fit for this study. Uncontrollable, introspective, and conventional are not applicable in this context.

Question 11

A physician who hosts a popular TV show makes several nutrition-related claims during one of the programs.Which of the doctor's claims is a "red flag" of unreliable information?
A)Kava cures migraine headaches.
B)The "placebo effect" often occurs in controlled studies involving human subjects. 
C)Niacin cures pellagra.
D)Not all doctors are nutrition experts.

Accepted Answer

The claim that kava cures migraine headaches is a red flag of unreliable information because there is no evidence to support this claim, and the use of kava has been associated with liver damage and other potential risks. The other claims are either supported by evidence or are common knowledge.

Question 12

Scientists study 200 adults who have type 2 diabetes,and 200 adults who have similar characteristics but do not have the disease.For 18 months,the researchers collect lifestyle information on all the study participants.According to the study's findings,the adults with type 2 diabetes were 25% less physically active than their counterparts who did not have type 2 diabetes.This is an example of a(n)________ study.
A)inverse relationship
B)anecdotal
C)prospective
D)case-control

Accepted Answer

This is a case-control study because it involves comparing individuals with a condition (type 2 diabetes) to those without it, while collecting data on their past lifestyle factors.

Question 13

Generally,epidemiological studies ________.
A)establish causation without experimentation
B)prove positive correlations
C)cannot determine cause-and-effect relationships
D)involve in vitro experimentation

Accepted Answer

Epidemiological studies can observe and analyze correlations between factors, but they cannot prove causation without manipulation or experimentation. Therefore, choice A is incorrect. Epidemiological studies can find positive, negative, or no correlations, so choice B is incorrect. In vitro experimentation involves testing in a controlled laboratory environment, which is not typically involved in epidemiology studies, so choice D is also incorrect.

Question 14

Scientists would like to conduct a study to identify lifestyle factors that are associated with delayed physical growth among a group of low-income American children.Which of the following research designs would be the best for the researchers to use when designing their study?
A)Human in vivo experimental
B)Epidemiological
C)Double-blind
D)Interventional

Accepted Answer

An epidemiological study would be the best choice because it involves observing and analyzing patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations, such as a group of low-income American children. This study design would allow researchers to identify lifestyle factors associated with delayed physical growth by collecting data through surveys, interviews, and physical examinations without intervening or manipulating any variables.

Question 15

Which of the following observations is an example of an inverse correlation?
A)When members of a population increase their consumption of milk and milk products,their risk for bone fractures decreases.
B)As children increase their physical activity level,they develop greater muscle mass than children who are less active.
C)When pregnant women gain more weight than average,they are more likely to give birth to babies who are heavier than average.
D)When children eat three or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day,their blood levels of vitamin C increase.

Accepted Answer

An inverse correlation means that as one variable increases, the other decreases. In this case, as consumption of milk and milk products increases, the risk for bone fractures decreases, indicating an inverse correlation.

Question 16

Dylan takes garlic pills to lower his blood cholesterol level,and he recommends the pills to his friends,because he thinks the supplement is helpful.Dylan's nutrition-related advice to his friends is an example of a(an)________.
A)introspection
B)subjective bias
C)peer review
D)anecdote

Accepted Answer

Dylan's advice to his friends is based on his own personal experience and opinion, which is an example of an anecdote. Anecdotes are not necessarily reliable or scientifically proven, so it is important to seek out objective and evidence-based information when making nutrition-related decisions.

Question 17

Derek takes protein supplements before and after his workouts.He told his workout partner that he became 200% stronger within a couple of months after he added the supplements to his diet.His report about the effects of the supplements is an example of a(n)________.
A)factoid
B)anecdote
C)variable
D)case report

Accepted Answer

Derek's report is an anecdote, which is a personal story that may or may not be based on factual evidence. It is not necessarily representative of typical or reliable results, and cannot be generalized to the population as a whole.

Question 18

The host of a radio program makes a "red flag" claim about a nutrition-related product,because the claim is generally an indication that the information about the product is unreliable.The radio program host said,
A)"According to the FDA,this product is classified a dietary supplement,because it contains vitamins."
B)"All ingredients in this product have been scientifically tested and clinically proven to cure cancer."
C)"This product contains sugar and certain artificial color and flavor additives."
D)"The ingredients in this product are listed on the label."

Accepted Answer

The claim that a product can cure cancer is a common red flag for unreliable nutrition-related information. It is important to be cautious of any product that claims such a significant health benefit without substantial scientific evidence to support it.

Answer: C
 The mention of sugar and artificial color and flavor additives may also be a red flag, as these ingredients may not be beneficial to one's health. However, this alone may not necessarily indicate unreliable information.

Answer: A and D
 The fact that the product is classified as a dietary supplement by the FDA and that its ingredients are listed on the label are both standard pieces of information and do not necessarily indicate unreliable information. However, it is still important to do further research on the product and its claims.

Question 19

Which of the following observations is an example of a positive correlation?
A)When members of a population consume fewer fruits and vegetables,their risk of high blood pressure increases.
B)When a group of children increases their physical activity levels,the percentage of the children who contract cold infections decreases.
C)When women gain less weight than average during pregnancy,the birthweights of their babies tend to be lower than average.
D)When a population's intake of green tea increases,the percentage of lung cancer cases in that population decreases.

Accepted Answer

A positive correlation occurs when two variables move in the same direction. In option C, as women gain less weight, the birthweights of their babies also tend to be lower, indicating both variables decrease together.

Question 20

Which of the following observations is an example of an inverse correlation?
A)When a population increases its daily consumption of whole-grain products,the population's frequency of daily bowel movements increases.
B)Children who consume 3 cups of vitamin D-fortified milk daily develop stronger bones than children who drink fewer than 3 cups of vitamin D-fortified milk each day.
C)Women who smoke 5 or more cigarettes each day during pregnancy are more likely to give birth to underweight babies than women who smoke fewer than 5 cigarettes a day during pregnancy.
D)As a population's dietary intake of beta-carotene increases,the population's tissue levels of vitamin A increase.

Accepted Answer

Inverse correlation refers to a relationship between two variables where one variable increases as the other decreases. In this case, as the number of cigarettes a woman smokes during pregnancy increases, the likelihood of her giving birth to an underweight baby also increases. Therefore, option C is the correct example of an inverse correlation.

Quiz 2: Evaluating Nutrition Information

Which of the following observations is an example of a negative correlation?

Emily has brittle fingernails that crack and split easily.Emily's mother advises her daughter to take gelatin pills 3 times/day,because she has heard the practice strengthens fingernails.The mother's nutrition-related advice about the benefit of taking gelatin pills is an example of a(n)

Zack takes 500 mg of vitamin C daily.He advises his friends to take vitamin C supplements because,he claims,the vitamin protects him from cold viruses.His claim about the usefulness of the vitamin is an ________.

A group of scientists would like to determine lifestyle factors that are associated with the development of asthma among American children.Based on this information,the researchers should design a(n) _____ study.

Which of the following observations is an example of a positive correlation?

Which of the following observations is an example of a positive correlation?

Having a control group enables researchers to

Scientists in a Central American country are studying factors that may be associated with delayed physical growth among a group of low-income children.The children live in a region of the nation that has high levels of lead in drinking water.This study is an example of a(an) ________ study.

A physician who hosts a popular TV show makes several nutrition-related claims during one of the programs.Which of the doctor's claims is a "red flag" of unreliable information?

Generally,epidemiological studies ________.

Scientists would like to conduct a study to identify lifestyle factors that are associated with delayed physical growth among a group of low-income American children.Which of the following research designs would be the best for the researchers to use when designing their study?

Which of the following observations is an example of an inverse correlation?

Dylan takes garlic pills to lower his blood cholesterol level,and he recommends the pills to his friends,because he thinks the supplement is helpful.Dylan's nutrition-related advice to his friends is an example of a(an) ________.

Derek takes protein supplements before and after his workouts.He told his workout partner that he became 200% stronger within a couple of months after he added the supplements to his diet.His report about the effects of the supplements is an example of a(n) ________.

The host of a radio program makes a "red flag" claim about a nutrition-related product,because the claim is generally an indication that the information about the product is unreliable.The radio program host said,

Which of the following observations is an example of a positive correlation?

Which of the following observations is an example of an inverse correlation?