Fitness Lessons Body Composition and Weight Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does BMI (Body Mass Index) measure?
- The ratio of weight to height squared (Correct answer)
- The percentage of body fat relative to total mass
- The ratio of muscle mass to bone density
- The distribution of fat between the upper and lower body
Correct answer: The ratio of weight to height squared
BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters, providing a general screening tool for weight categories.
Question 2: Approximately how many calories must you burn in excess of what you consume to lose one pound of body fat?
- 1,500 calories
- 2,000 calories
- 3,500 calories (Correct answer)
- 5,000 calories
Correct answer: 3,500 calories
One pound of fat contains approximately 3,500 calories, so a deficit of 3,500 calories through diet and/or exercise is needed to lose one pound.
Question 3: Which macronutrient provides the most calories per gram?
- Carbohydrates
- Protein
- Fat (Correct answer)
- Fiber
Correct answer: Fat
Fat provides 9 calories per gram, which is more than double the 4 calories per gram provided by both carbohydrates and protein.
Question 4: What is the generally accepted healthy body fat percentage range for adult men?
- 2–5%
- 6–13%
- 14–24% (Correct answer)
- 25–31%
Correct answer: 14–24%
A body fat percentage of 14–24% is considered healthy for adult men, with athletes typically in the 6–13% range.
Question 5: Which type of tissue burns significantly more calories at rest compared to fat tissue?
- Bone tissue
- Connective tissue
- Muscle tissue (Correct answer)
- Adipose tissue
Correct answer: Muscle tissue
Muscle tissue is metabolically active and burns approximately 6 calories per pound per day at rest, compared to only about 2 calories per pound for fat tissue.
Question 6: What is the term for the number of calories the body needs to maintain basic physiological functions while completely at rest?
- Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE)
- Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) (Correct answer)
- Thermic Effect of Food (TEF)
- Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT)
Correct answer: Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) represents the minimum caloric requirement to sustain vital body functions such as breathing, circulation, and cell production at complete rest.
Question 7: Which body composition assessment method uses DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) and is considered highly accurate?
- Skinfold calipers
- Bioelectrical impedance analysis
- DEXA scan (Correct answer)
- Hydrostatic weighing
Correct answer: DEXA scan
DEXA scans use low-level X-rays to differentiate between bone mineral density, lean soft tissue, and fat mass, making them one of the most accurate body composition methods available.
What does BMI (Body Mass Index) measure?