Keto Diet Ethics and Conduct 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A keto blogger is paid to promote a meal kit service but labels the post only with '#ad' buried in a long list of hashtags. Under FTC guidelines, this disclosure is:
- Sufficient since '#ad' is included
- Inadequate because disclosures must be clear and conspicuous (Correct answer)
- Required only for followers over 10,000
- Optional for food content creators
Correct answer: Inadequate because disclosures must be clear and conspicuous
FTC guidelines require sponsorship disclosures to be clear and conspicuous, not hidden within hashtags where followers may miss them.
Question 2: A keto practitioner works with clients from cultures where high-carb staple foods hold deep religious significance. The ethical approach is to:
- Insist keto principles override cultural practices
- Dismiss religious foods as non-negotiable barriers
- Respect cultural context and adapt recommendations collaboratively (Correct answer)
- Refer all such clients to a different practitioner
Correct answer: Respect cultural context and adapt recommendations collaboratively
Culturally competent practice requires collaborative adaptation of dietary recommendations that respects clients' values and traditions.
Question 3: A new keto coach has no credential but calls themselves a 'Certified Keto Specialist' after completing an unaccredited online course. This raises which ethical concern?
- Credential inflation that may mislead clients about expertise (Correct answer)
- A harmless title since keto coaching is unregulated
- Only an issue if they charge high fees
- Acceptable if the course covered 10 or more hours
Correct answer: Credential inflation that may mislead clients about expertise
Using credential titles that imply accredited certification misleads clients about the practitioner's actual training and qualifications.
Question 4: A client wants to try keto but is currently taking warfarin (a blood thinner). The ethical practitioner should:
- Proceed since keto doesn't affect blood clotting
- Advise the client to stop warfarin before starting keto
- Coordinate with the prescribing physician due to potential diet-drug interactions (Correct answer)
- Recommend switching to a fish oil supplement instead
Correct answer: Coordinate with the prescribing physician due to potential diet-drug interactions
Dietary changes can alter INR levels in warfarin patients, making physician coordination essential to prevent dangerous clotting or bleeding events.
Question 5: A keto practitioner is offered a research sponsorship from a supplement company with the condition that results must be shared with the company before publication. The ethical concern is:
- None since industry funding is standard
- Publication bias and suppression of unfavorable findings (Correct answer)
- Only relevant if the practitioner is a licensed researcher
- Acceptable if the company is reputable
Correct answer: Publication bias and suppression of unfavorable findings
Pre-publication review rights granted to sponsors create a risk of suppressing negative results, undermining scientific integrity.
Question 6: A keto coach notices a client has lost weight rapidly and now has a BMI of 17.5. The ethical response is to:
- Continue the plan since weight loss is the goal
- Pause the diet and facilitate medical evaluation (Correct answer)
- Increase calorie targets slightly without medical consultation
- Congratulate the client on discipline
Correct answer: Pause the diet and facilitate medical evaluation
A BMI of 17.5 indicates underweight status that requires medical evaluation to rule out malnutrition or underlying health risks.
Question 7: When a keto program markets itself as a solution for childhood obesity, what ethical duty applies before recommending it to children?
- Ensure it tastes good enough for children to follow
- Require parental consent and pediatric physician oversight (Correct answer)
- Apply adult keto macros scaled down by body weight
- Avoid recommending any diet to children under any circumstances
Correct answer: Require parental consent and pediatric physician oversight
Children's nutritional needs differ significantly from adults, requiring pediatric medical supervision and parental informed consent before any restrictive diet.
Keto Diet Ethics and Conduct 3
A keto blogger is paid to promote a meal kit service but labels the post only with '#ad' buried in a long list of hashtags.
Under FTC guidelines, this disclosure is: