Weight Management Strategies Flashcards

Which hormone, produced by adipose tissue, signals satiety to the hypothalamus and is often dysregulated in obesity?

Answer: Leptin

Leptin is produced by fat cells and signals the hypothalamus to reduce appetite, but obese individuals often develop leptin resistance.

A client struggling to lose weight has chronically elevated cortisol. Which dietary strategy is MOST directly supportive?

Answer: Stabilizing blood sugar with balanced meals every 3-4 hours

Stabilizing blood sugar reduces the stress burden on the HPA axis, helping lower cortisol and supporting healthy body composition.

In NTP practice, 'set point theory' suggests that:

Answer: The body actively defends a particular weight range through metabolic adaptations

Set point theory holds that the body uses hormonal and metabolic mechanisms to resist deviations from its defended weight range.

Which macronutrient has the highest thermic effect of food (TEF), meaning the body burns the most calories digesting it?

Answer: Protein

Protein has a TEF of approximately 20-30%, meaning up to 30% of its calories are used in digestion and metabolism.

A client has a high waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). This pattern of fat distribution is most associated with increased risk of:

Answer: Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease

Visceral fat accumulation, reflected by a high WHR, is strongly linked to metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease.

Which of the following best describes the role of the gut microbiome in weight management?

Answer: Certain microbial profiles increase energy harvest from food and influence fat storage hormones

Specific microbiome compositions affect how many calories are extracted from food and modulate hormones like GLP-1 and PYY that influence appetite and fat storage.

When evaluating a weight management client, an NTP should assess digestive function FIRST because:

Answer: Poor digestion impairs nutrient absorption, affecting metabolism and hunger signals

NTP's foundational approach prioritizes digestion because impaired nutrient absorption disrupts metabolic function, hormonal balance, and satiety signaling.