Question 1

The stimulus which prompts one to eat in response to internal physical cues is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Hunger refers specifically to the physical sensation of needing to eat, and is typically caused by a variety of internal cues such as low blood sugar, an empty stomach, or hormonal changes. Appetite, on the other hand, refers more broadly to the desire or craving for food, and can be influenced by a variety of external factors such as advertising, social cues, or emotional state. Behavioral modification refers to deliberately altering one's actions or habits in order to achieve a particular goal or outcome, and may or may not be related to hunger or appetite. Satiety refers to the feeling of fullness or satisfaction that one experiences after eating, and is typically a signal to stop eating.

Question 2

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

The distribution of fat in a person is not determined primarily by exercise habits, but rather by genetic and hormonal factors. Other lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity can influence fat distribution to some extent, but they are not the main determinant.

Question 3

For people who want to gain weight,which of the following is NOT a recommendation?

Accepted Answer

Eating more low-fat, bulky foods is not recommended for weight gain because these foods can fill you up quickly without providing a high amount of calories. For weight gain, it's generally advised to consume foods that are more calorie-dense.

Question 4

_________ is produced in the stomach and stimulates food intake.

Accepted Answer

Ghrelin is known as the "hunger hormone" because it is produced by the stomach and increases food intake by stimulating appetite.

Question 5

A higher incidence of heart disease,high blood pressure,stroke and diabetes is associated with:

Accepted Answer

Visceral fat, also known as abdominal or central fat, is located deep within the abdominal cavity and surrounds vital organs. It is metabolically active and releases hormones that can contribute to a variety of health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes. On the other hand, subcutaneous fat, which is located just beneath the skin, is not as strongly associated with these health problems. Thus, C is the correct choice as it specifically mentions visceral fat being associated with these health issues.

Question 6

To determine how many kcalories are in a food item,the food undergoes combustion in a chamber surrounded by water.What information is most important to know in order to establish the caloric content of the food item?

Accepted Answer

The change in temperature of the water surrounding the chamber will indicate how much heat energy was released during the combustion of the food item, which can be used to calculate the caloric content. The volume, surface area, and density of the water will not directly impact the calculation of calorific content.

Question 7

Long term healthy weight loss is based on all the following principles EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Eating foods in the "right" combinations to burn calories is not a proven principle for long term healthy weight loss. The other choices are well-established principles for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

Question 8

Which statement about obesity genes is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

While obesity genes play a role in an individual's susceptibility to obesity, they are not solely responsible for the rise in obesity levels. Factors such as lifestyle, diet, and environment also contribute to the increase in obesity rates.

Question 9

Very-Low-Kcalorie diets:

Accepted Answer

Very-low-kcalorie diets cause a rapid initial weight loss primarily due to loss of body water, not necessarily due to a sustainable loss of fat.

Question 10

Which of the following does not affect basal metabolic rate?

Accepted Answer

Level of physical activity affects total metabolic rate, but not basal metabolic rate. Basal metabolic rate refers to the body's energy expenditure at rest, while total metabolic rate includes all energy expended throughout the day, including physical activity. Gender, lean body mass, and age all affect basal metabolic rate.

Question 11

Which guideline about weight loss is correct?

Accepted Answer

Most research indicates that losing even a small amount of weight (5-15% of total body weight) can improve health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. This is a more achievable goal for most people compared to reaching a normal weight, which can be difficult and may not be necessary for significant health benefits. Options A and B are incorrect because not all individuals with a BMI >25 need to lose weight (e.g. athletes with high muscle mass), and quick weight loss in children can be harmful to their growth and development. Option D is also incorrect as the health benefits of weight loss can be obtained with even modest weight loss, not just when reaching a normal weight.

Question 12

A common problem associated with losing weight by drinking only low kcalorie weight loss products is:

Accepted Answer

Drinking low-calorie weight loss products may help in reducing the calorie intake, but it does not address the root cause of weight gain, which is unhealthy eating habits. Therefore, without making a permanent change in eating habits, it is less likely that the weight loss will be maintained.

Question 13

Which statement about the relationship of obesity to activity is correct?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that individuals with the most body fat tend to have the lowest levels of overall activity. This is likely due to factors such as decreased mobility and increased fatigue associated with carrying extra weight. The other statements are incorrect.

Question 14

The energy (kcalories)provided by one gram each of protein,fat,carbohydrate and alcohol is:

Accepted Answer

The energy provided by one gram of each nutrient is as follows: protein provides 4 kcal, fat provides 9 kcal, carbohydrate provides 4 kcal, and alcohol provides 7 kcal.

Question 15

The recommended approach to dealing with overweight children is to:

Accepted Answer

Encouraging physical activity and moderate kcalorie intake is the best approach to dealing with overweight children. Strictly limiting kcalorie intake can lead to nutrient deficiencies and eating disorders, while drug therapy is not recommended for children. Liquid weight loss products are also not recommended as a long-term solution and can be even more harmful to children's health. Encouraging physical activity, on the other hand, promotes overall health and can be a fun way for children to stay active and engaged. Additionally, moderate kcalorie intake ensures that children are getting the nutrients they need for growth and development while still managing weight.

Question 16

Which of the following does NOT help to explain why Americans are now eating more kcals than 30 years ago?

Accepted Answer

Genetic changes have not occurred over the last 30 years that would suddenly cause Americans to be hungrier. The other options all contribute to the increased caloric intake.

Question 17

When a diet is very low in kcalories and carbohydrate for a long period of time,what is most likely to develop?

Accepted Answer

When a diet is very low in calories and carbohydrates for a long period of time, the body begins to break down fat for energy, leading to ketosis. This is a natural process that occurs when the body is starved of carbohydrates and is not necessarily harmful. However, it can lead to other health issues if the diet is not properly balanced. Diabetes, hepatitis, and hyperglycemia are not directly caused by a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate diet, although they may be related to underlying health conditions.

Question 18

Which statement about the relationship of obesity to "thrifty metabolism" is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Restricting food intake normally causes a decrease in energy expenditure, not an increase. This is called adaptive thermogenesis and is thought to be a protective mechanism to prevent starvation.

Question 19

An individual's actual weight is:

Accepted Answer

Both inherited genes and lifestyle/environment can affect an individual's weight. While genetics may play a role in an individual's predisposition to gain weight or store fat, lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and stress management can also influence weight. Additionally, environmental factors like access to healthy food options or levels of physical activity in the local community can also impact weight. The weight of identical twins can vary depending on their individual lifestyle choices and environmental factors, not solely on genetics.

Question 20

Americans are exercising less for all the reasons listed below EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The other three options (A, B, and D) are listed as reasons why Americans are exercising less, but option C is not a reason listed.

Quiz 7: Energy Balance and Weight Management