Chapter 15: Weight Management

Question 1

When energy intake exceeds energy expenditure, the result may be

a. anorexia.
b. malnutrition.
c. obesity.
d. hyperactivity.

Answer 1

obesity.

Question 2

Obesity generally means that a person’s body weight exceeds ideal body weight for height by at least

a. 5%.
b. 10%.
c. 20%.
d. 25%.

Answer 2

20%.

Question 3

The most important factor in determining fatness or leanness is

a. weight.
b. height.
c. body composition.
d. diet.

Answer 3

body composition.

Question 4

An example of an extreme weight-loss measure is

a. a sound food plan.
b. aerobic exercise.
c. behavior modification.
d. fasting.

Answer 4

fasting.

Extreme practices to lose weight include fasting, fad diets, macronutrient restrictions, and clothing and body wraps.

Question 5

The most precise method for determining body composition is

a. skinfold calipers.
b. body weight.
c. underwater weighing.
d. fitness testing.

Answer 5

underwater weighing.

Underwater, or hydrostatic, weighing is a precise method to determine body composition. This method requires complete submersion of the client in water. The person must exhale as much air as possible and stay underwater for a few seconds to get an accurate reading.

Question 6

It is difficult to define “ideal weight” because

a. body weight increases with age.
b. men tend to weigh more than women.
c. body weight is largely determined by genetics.
d. a wide range of weights can be associated with good health.

Answer 6

a wide range of weights can be associated with good health.

Question 7

During puberty, a girl begins menstruation when her body fat level reaches approximately

a. 10%.
b. 20%.
c. 25%.
d. 30%.

Answer 7

20%.

Menstruation begins when female body fat reaches 20% of body weight. This is the amount needed for ovulation and support for healthy pregnancy.

Question 8

A teenage girl who has a distorted body image and refuses to maintain an acceptable body weight should be evaluated for

a. anorexia nervosa.
b. bulimia nervosa.
c. fasting.
d. compulsive dieting.

Answer 8

anorexia nervosa.

Question 9

Health problems related to obesity include

a. hypertension and lung disease.
b. hypertension and diabetes.
c. diabetes and cancer.
d. cancer and asthma.

Answer 9

hypertension and diabetes.

Question 10

Several studies suggest that the people who have the lowest risk of death are

a. greatly overweight.
b. slightly overweight.
c. slightly underweight.
d. greatly underweight.

Answer 10

slightly overweight.

Question 11

To survive, the minimal amount of body weight that may consist of body fat for a 120-lb woman is approximately _____ lb.

a. 3.5
b. 6
c. 9.6
d. 15.5

Answer 11

9.6

The minimal percentage of body weight that may consist of body fat is 3% in men and 8% in women; so, 120 lb (0.08) = 9.6 lbs. Some body fat is essential to survival. Every cell membrane in the body has fat molecules in it, and fat is used for insulation and many other functions.

Question 12

Mary is a 32-year-old woman who admits to repeated episodes of eating large quantities of food at one sitting, including two boxes of cookies, a family-size bag of chips, six candy bars, and even more at times, then vomits to rid her body of the food. This would be an example of

a. anorexia nervosa.
b. bulimia nervosa.
c. fasting.
d. compulsive overeating.

Answer 12

bulimia nervosa.

Question 13

A 2-lb increase in fat is the kilocalorie equivalent of _____ kcal.

a. 1000
b. 3000
c. 3500
d. 7000

Answer 13

7000

One pound of fat is the kilocalorie equivalent of 3500 kcal, so 2 lb would be equivalent to 7000 kcal.

Question 14

A major contributing factor to the increase in obesity in the United States is

a. excessive alcohol intake.
b. excessive sugar intake.
c. lack of exercise.
d. lack of concern about weight control.

Answer 14

lack of exercise.

Question 15

Effective methods for weight reduction include

a. fasting.
b. sauna suits.
c. the drug phenylpropylamine.
d. behavior modification.

Answer 15

behavior modification.

• designed to help change patterns that contribute to excessive weight, such as excess food and eating as well as lack of exercise.

Question 16

Surgical techniques used for weight reduction are

a. helpful but expensive.
b. the only alternative for extreme obesity.
c. associated with significant risks.
d. not effective.

Answer 16

associated with significant risks.

Significant risks are associated with surgical techniques for weight reduction along with other problems and side effects. Inherent risk of surgery and postsurgery malnutrition are critical issues that should be thoroughly addressed with the patient.

Question 17

In all probability, the most significant factor in the development of obesity is

a. genetics and family food patterns.
b. psychological influences.
c. social influences.
d. physiologic influences.

Answer 17

genetics and family food patterns.

Question 18

If a child has obese parents, the likelihood of the child also being obese is

a. no different from that of any other child.
b. very great.
c. very low.
d. dependent on other environmental factors.

Answer 18

very great.

Up to 80% of the predisposition to obesity is from genetic factors. However, a genetic influence is not the determining factor. The daily life, environment, and habits the person chooses influence the expression of this gene trait.

Question 19

Expression of genetic factors

a. determines an individual’s body weight.
b. influences an individual’s chance of becoming overweight.
c. cannot be overcome by diet and exercise habits.
d. is solely responsible for similarities in body weight within families.

Answer 19

influences an individual’s chance of becoming overweight.

Question 20

The most important key to a successful weight-loss program is

a. personal motivation.
b. exercise.
c. dietary restriction.
d. a good nutrition counselor.

Answer 20

personal motivation.

Question 21

Food behaviors of value in a weight-reduction program include

a. eating quickly.
b. choosing small portions.
c. eating while doing other activities.
d. skipping meals.

Answer 21

choosing small portions.

Question 22

To lose 2 lb over a 2-week period, caloric intake would need to be reduced by _____ kcal/day.

a. 150
b. 300
c. 350
d. 500

Answer 22

500

Rationale: To lose 2 lb in 2 weeks, a decrease of 500 kcal/day would need to occur.

Question 23

Clinically severe or significant obesity is defined as a BMI of

a. 40 or greater or a BMI of 35-39 with at least one obesity-related disorder.
b. 35 or greater or a BMI of 35-39 with at least three obesity-related disorders.
c. 35 or greater with at least two obesity-related disorders.
d. 30 with hypertension and high blood sugar.

Answer 23

40 or greater or a BMI of 35-39 with at least one obesity-related disorder.

Question 24

In young, healthy, adult men, the percentage of body weight that is fat is between

a. 3% and 5%.
b. 5% and 12%.
c. 8% and 22%.
d. 20% and 35%.

Answer 24

8% and 22%.

The percentage of body weight that is fat in healthy adult men aged 34 years or younger is between 8% and 22%. The percentage of fat in women is 20% to 35%.

Question 25

A hormone that seems to control eating behavior and fat storage is

a. insulin.
b. thyroxine.
c. leptin.
d. growth hormone.

Answer 25

leptin.

The obesity gene encodes for a hormone-like protein believed to play a role in determining a person’s set point for fat storage.

Question 26

Dangers associated with the use of very-low-calorie diets include

a. dehydration.
b. decreased metabolic rate.
c. sleep disorders.
d. hyperactivity.

Answer 26

decreased metabolic rate.

Very-low-calorie diets can possibly cause semistarvation (e.g., acidosis, low blood pressure, electrolyte loss, tissue protein loss, and decreased basal metabolic rate).

Question 27

Body wraps result in a loss of

a. muscle tissue.
b. cellulite.
c. body fat.
d. water.

Answer 27

water.

Body wraps result in the loss of body water. Special “sauna suits” or body wrapping claims to help weight loss in certain spots of the body or clear up so-called cellulite tissue (the term cellulite is not a scientific term). The resulting small weight loss is caused by temporary water loss.

Question 28

The rate of weight loss by overweight adults should not exceed _____ lb/week.

a. 1 to 2
b. 2 to 4
c. 3 to 5
d. 4 to 6

Answer 28

1 to 2

Question 29

Problems associated with bulimia nervosa include

a. dry skin.
b. breathing difficulties.
c. abnormal hair growth.
d. erosion of dental enamel.

Answer 29

erosion of dental enamel

is a result of stomach acid coating the teeth while vomiting. Additional oral problems include oral mucosal irritation, decreased salivary secretions, and dry mouth.

Question 30

A sound food plan for weight loss contains

a. 20% of energy as fat.
b. 20% of energy as carbohydrate.
c. 20% of energy as protein.
d. a balance of macronutrients.

Answer 30

a balance of macronutrients.

Question 31

The counterpart to leptin is

a. ghrelin.
b. secretin.
c. insulin.
d. peptidase.

Answer 31

ghrelin.

is the enteric peptide ghrelin. Ghrelin is an appetite stimulant secreted from the stomach to activate the appetite-regulating network.