CHC Chronic Disease Prevention & Lifestyle Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A 55-year-old male client has a BMI of 31 and a waist circumference of 42 inches. Why is waist circumference an important additional measure?
- It replaces the need for BMI in clinical assessment
- It identifies visceral adiposity, which independently predicts cardiometabolic risk (Correct answer)
- It measures subcutaneous fat, which is the most dangerous fat type
- It is only useful in women, not men
Correct answer: It identifies visceral adiposity, which independently predicts cardiometabolic risk
Waist circumference above 40 inches in men indicates excess visceral fat, which is metabolically active and independently raises risk for T2D, CVD, and metabolic syndrome.
Question 2: Which stage of the Transtheoretical Model describes a client who acknowledges a problem but has no intention to change within the next 6 months?
- Contemplation
- Precontemplation (Correct answer)
- Preparation
- Maintenance
Correct answer: Precontemplation
Precontemplation is characterized by lack of awareness or intention to change within the next 6 months; the client may not see the behavior as a problem.
Question 3: A client wants to reduce their risk of colorectal cancer. Which lifestyle factor has the strongest evidence for primary prevention?
- Increasing dietary calcium only
- Regular physical activity and limiting red/processed meat intake (Correct answer)
- Taking a daily aspirin supplement
- Following a gluten-free diet
Correct answer: Regular physical activity and limiting red/processed meat intake
Regular physical activity and reducing red/processed meat consumption are among the most evidence-supported lifestyle strategies for colorectal cancer prevention.
Question 4: What is the primary goal of secondary prevention in chronic disease management?
- Preventing the initial onset of disease in healthy individuals
- Early detection and treatment to halt or slow disease progression (Correct answer)
- Rehabilitating function after a disease has caused disability
- Eliminating all risk factors before symptoms appear
Correct answer: Early detection and treatment to halt or slow disease progression
Secondary prevention targets individuals who already have a disease or risk factor, using screening and early treatment to prevent worsening or complications.
Question 5: A client with metabolic syndrome is confused about which blood marker to monitor most closely for insulin resistance. What should the health coach explain?
- Total cholesterol level
- Fasting triglyceride and HDL ratio (Correct answer)
- LDL cholesterol level only
- C-reactive protein level
Correct answer: Fasting triglyceride and HDL ratio
An elevated fasting triglyceride-to-HDL ratio is a reliable surrogate marker for insulin resistance and is a key component of metabolic syndrome assessment.
Question 6: Which strategy best supports long-term maintenance of weight loss, according to the National Weight Control Registry data?
- Strict calorie restriction below 1,000 kcal/day indefinitely
- High levels of physical activity (≥60 min/day) combined with consistent self-monitoring (Correct answer)
- Periodic very-low-calorie crash diets every few months
- Eliminating all dietary fat permanently
Correct answer: High levels of physical activity (≥60 min/day) combined with consistent self-monitoring
NWCR data show that successful maintainers engage in high activity levels, consistent self-monitoring of weight and diet, and eat breakfast regularly.
Question 7: A health coach client is managing Type 2 diabetes and asks if strength training is beneficial beyond aerobic exercise. What is the correct response?
- Resistance training is contraindicated for people with T2D due to glucose spikes
- Resistance training improves insulin sensitivity and glycemic control independently of aerobic exercise (Correct answer)
- Only aerobic exercise affects blood glucose; resistance training has no metabolic benefit
- Strength training should only be added after achieving ideal body weight
Correct answer: Resistance training improves insulin sensitivity and glycemic control independently of aerobic exercise
Resistance training increases skeletal muscle mass and glucose transporter density, improving insulin sensitivity and HbA1c independent of aerobic training.
CHC Chronic Disease Prevention & Lifestyle Management 3
A 55-year-old male client has a BMI of 31 and a waist circumference of 42 inches.
Why is waist circumference an important additional measure?