CBC Obesity Science and Etiology Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following accurately describes the primary role of the hormone ghrelin in the regulation of body weight?

Accepted Answer

It is secreted by the stomach and stimulates appetite.

Answer

It is released by adipose tissue and signals satiety to the brain.

Answer

It is produced by the pancreas to regulate blood glucose after a meal.

Answer

It is secreted by the adrenal glands in response to stress, promoting fat storage.

Question 2

A client expresses frustration, stating, 'No matter how much I diet and lose weight, my body seems to fight me to get back to my usual weight.' This experience is best explained by which of the following concepts in obesity science?

Accepted Answer

The body weight set-point theory.

Answer

The thrifty gene hypothesis.

Answer

The glucostatic theory.

Answer

The obesogenic environment theory.

Question 3

A counselor is working with a community to identify factors contributing to high obesity rates. Which of the following is the BEST example of a macro-level factor within the 'obesogenic environment'?

Accepted Answer

The widespread availability and low cost of ultra-processed, high-calorie foods.

Answer

A family's tendency to eat meals while watching television.

Answer

An individual's genetic predisposition to store fat.

Answer

A person's lack of motivation to engage in regular physical activity.

Question 4

From a metabolic standpoint, what is the primary functional difference between brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT)?

Accepted Answer

WAT primarily stores energy, while BAT is specialized to burn calories to produce heat.

Answer

BAT primarily stores energy as triglycerides, while WAT is specialized for thermogenesis.

Answer

WAT is the primary tissue affected by insulin resistance, while BAT is not.

Answer

WAT secretes the hormone ghrelin, while BAT secretes leptin.

Question 5

The concept of epigenetics in obesity etiology suggests which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Environmental factors can modify gene expression without changing the DNA sequence, influencing obesity risk.

Answer

Obesity is solely determined by a single 'obesity gene' that is either active or inactive.

Answer

An individual's DNA sequence is permanently altered by their parents' lifestyle choices.

Answer

Genetic factors have no significant influence on an individual's susceptibility to weight gain.

Question 6

Research into the etiology of obesity has increasingly focused on the gut microbiome. Which of the following is a proposed mechanism by which gut microbiota can influence body weight?

Accepted Answer

By altering the efficiency of energy extraction from food and influencing appetite-regulating hormones.

Answer

By directly controlling the secretion of thyroid hormones to regulate metabolism.

Answer

By exclusively producing leptin, the body's primary satiety hormone.

Answer

By altering the genetic code of intestinal cells to prevent all fat absorption.