CBC Obesity Science and Etiology Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following accurately describes the primary role of the hormone ghrelin in the regulation of body weight?

Accepted Answer

It is secreted by the stomach and stimulates appetite.

Answer

Ghrelin is commonly known as the 'hunger hormone'. It is primarily produced and secreted by the stomach when it is empty. It then travels to the brain, specifically the hypothalamus, where it acts to stimulate appetite and food intake. In contrast, leptin is the hormone released by adipose (fat) tissue to signal satiety, insulin is produced by the pancreas, and cortisol is the primary stress hormone from the adrenal glands.

Question 2

A client expresses frustration, stating, 'No matter how much I diet and lose weight, my body seems to fight me to get back to my usual weight.' This experience is best explained by which of the following concepts in obesity science?

Accepted Answer

The body weight set-point theory.

Answer

The body weight set-point theory posits that the body has a predetermined weight range that it actively defends. When weight drops below this set point, the body initiates compensatory physiological mechanisms, such as increasing appetite and decreasing metabolic rate, to promote a return to the set-point weight. This explains the feeling of the body 'fighting back' against weight loss efforts. The other options are related but less specific to this phenomenon.

Question 3

A counselor is working with a community to identify factors contributing to high obesity rates. Which of the following is the BEST example of a macro-level factor within the 'obesogenic environment'?

Accepted Answer

The widespread availability and low cost of ultra-processed, high-calorie foods.

Answer

The 'obesogenic environment' refers to external, systemic factors that promote weight gain. The widespread availability and low cost of unhealthy foods is a macro-level (large-scale, societal) factor that influences the entire community. The other options represent a micro-level family habit, an individual genetic factor, and a personal psychological factor, not macro-level environmental conditions.

Question 4

From a metabolic standpoint, what is the primary functional difference between brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT)?

Accepted Answer

WAT primarily stores energy, while BAT is specialized to burn calories to produce heat.

Answer

White adipose tissue (WAT) is the body's main energy storage depot, storing excess energy as large triglyceride droplets. In contrast, brown adipose tissue (BAT) is metabolically active, containing many mitochondria that allow it to burn calories and dissipate energy as heat, a process called non-shivering thermogenesis. Therefore, their functions are essentially antagonistic: WAT stores energy, and BAT expends it.

Question 5

The concept of epigenetics in obesity etiology suggests which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Environmental factors can modify gene expression without changing the DNA sequence, influencing obesity risk.

Answer

Epigenetics refers to heritable changes in gene function that do not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence. In the context of obesity, environmental factors (like diet or stress) can cause epigenetic modifications (such as DNA methylation) that turn genes 'on' or 'off', thereby altering an individual's lifelong susceptibility to weight gain without changing their genetic code.

(CBC) Certified Bariatric Counselor Practice Test

(CBC) Certified Bariatric Counselor Practice Test

CBC Obesity Science and Etiology Questions and Answers