CNC CNC Weight Management & Body Composition 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which eating pattern is characterized by alternating periods of fasting and unrestricted eating within a 24-hour cycle?
- Ketogenic diet
- Intermittent fasting (Correct answer)
- DASH diet
- Zone diet
Correct answer: Intermittent fasting
Intermittent fasting uses structured fasting windows (e.g., 16:8 or 5:2 protocols) alternated with normal eating periods to reduce overall caloric intake.
Question 2: A client is losing weight but reports feeling constantly cold and fatigued. Which metabolic adaptation is most likely occurring?
- Increased thermogenesis
- Adaptive thermogenesis (metabolic adaptation) (Correct answer)
- Leptin resistance
- Hyperglycemia
Correct answer: Adaptive thermogenesis (metabolic adaptation)
Adaptive thermogenesis is a downward shift in resting metabolic rate beyond what is predicted by body composition changes, commonly triggered by prolonged caloric restriction.
Question 3: Which waist circumference threshold indicates substantially increased metabolic disease risk for women, according to NHLBI guidelines?
- Over 30 inches
- Over 35 inches (Correct answer)
- Over 40 inches
- Over 45 inches
Correct answer: Over 35 inches
The NHLBI identifies a waist circumference greater than 35 inches (88 cm) in women as a threshold for substantially increased risk of metabolic disease.
Question 4: Visceral adipose tissue is considered more metabolically dangerous than subcutaneous fat primarily because it:
- Is located under the skin and restricts movement
- Releases inflammatory cytokines and free fatty acids directly into portal circulation (Correct answer)
- Contains higher concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids
- Has a lower lipolytic rate than subcutaneous fat
Correct answer: Releases inflammatory cytokines and free fatty acids directly into portal circulation
Visceral fat drains into the portal vein, delivering inflammatory cytokines and free fatty acids directly to the liver, driving insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.
Question 5: Which macronutrient has the highest thermic effect of food (TEF), meaning the body expends the most calories digesting it?
- Fat
- Carbohydrate
- Protein (Correct answer)
- Alcohol
Correct answer: Protein
Protein has a TEF of approximately 20–35%, meaning up to one-third of its calories are burned during digestion and absorption.
Question 6: A client following a 1,500 kcal/day plan loses weight for 8 weeks then plateaus. The MOST appropriate first intervention is to:
- Immediately cut calories by another 500 kcal/day
- Reassess current intake and body weight to recalculate energy needs (Correct answer)
- Switch the client to a ketogenic diet
- Recommend weight-loss medications
Correct answer: Reassess current intake and body weight to recalculate energy needs
Before adjusting the plan, a nutrition coach should verify adherence and recalculate TDEE based on the client's new (lower) body weight, as energy needs decrease with weight loss.
CNC CNC Weight Management & Body Composition 2
Which eating pattern is characterized by alternating periods of fasting and unrestricted eating within a 24-hour cycle?